System and method for analyzing athletic activity

ABSTRACT

A system for transitioning from a first footwear type to a second footwear type is usable with an article of footwear including a sensor system with a plurality of force sensors engaged with an article of footwear and configured to sense force exerted by a foot of a user and an electronic module configured to collect data based on force input from the sensors and to wirelessly transmit data generated by the sensor system. An electronic device includes a processor that receives the data from the electronic module, compares the data to a footstrike template corresponding to a desired footstrike pattern of a footwear transitional program, determines whether a deviation from the footstrike template exists, and generates an indication to the user when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist. The desired footstrike pattern corresponds to a preferred footstrike of the second type of footwear.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/717,650, filed May 20, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part ofco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/757,417, filed Feb. 1,2013, and this application claims priority to and the benefit of suchapplication, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to systems, apparatuses, andmethods for analyzing athletic activity and, more particularly, tosystems, apparatuses, and methods for providing coaching feedback to auser based on analysis of athletic activity, e.g., when transitioning toa new footwear type, which may utilize data input from a sensor systemincorporated into an article of footwear or other article of apparel.

BACKGROUND

Systems for analysis of athletic activity that utilize data collectedfrom athletic activity are known. Such data can be analyzed andpresented to a user in a number of different forms and formats,including by indication of performance metrics. However, uses for suchathletic activity data and metrics can be unnecessarily limited. As oneexample, such data and performance metrics are often limited inproviding active, real-time feedback and/or forward-looking feedback tothe user. Accordingly, while certain systems for analyzing athleticactivity provide a number of advantageous features, they neverthelesshave certain limitations. The systems, apparatuses, and methodsdisclosed herein seek to overcome certain of these limitations and otherdrawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretoforeavailable.

Recent trends and changes in footwear have created a need for systemsfor transitioning a wearer to a new footwear type. For example, minimalfootwear is designed to mimic barefoot running by implementing lesscushioning and stability than traditional running shoes, and often withno drop between the heel and forefoot, no arch support, no midsole, andeither no heel counter or a flexible heel counter. Minimal footwear hasgained popularity by promoting a natural motion of the foot that resultsin fewer injuries. However, transitioning from traditional footwear tominimal footwear may take time and proper instruction for the avoidanceof injuries and other problems. Runners who incorporate minimal footwearinto their running programs without any alteration in running volume orany preparation of their foot and ankle musculature have been found tobe more prone to injuries. This is likely because most traditional shoewearers have a more posterior strike pattern (e.g., a heel footstrikepattern), a higher vertical impact peak, greater dorsiflexion of thefoot and less knee flexion at foot strike compared with preferredminimal footstrike pattern. Studies have found that wearerstransitioning from traditional to minimal footwear often did notsufficiently alter their leg and foot biomechanics to properly adapt tothe minimal footwear conditions. Injuries are considered likely due topoor transitioning as opposed to the minimal footwear itself.Accordingly, switching between traditional and minimal running shoesrequires proper transitioning for the avoidance of injuries.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to a system for transitioningfrom a first footwear type to a second footwear type that is used withan article of footwear of the second footwear type including a sensorsystem with a plurality of force sensors engaged with the article offootwear and configured to sense force exerted by a user's foot, anelectronic module configured for collecting data based on force inputfrom the sensors and for wirelessly transmitting the data generated bythe sensor system. The system also includes an electronic device incommunication with the electronic module. The electronic device includesa processor that is configured to receive the data from the electronicmodule, compare the data to a footstrike template corresponding to adesired footstrike pattern of a footwear transitional program todetermine whether a deviation from the footstrike template exists, andgenerate an indication to the user when the deviation from the desiredfootstrike pattern is determined to exist. The desired footstrikepattern corresponds to a preferred footstrike of the second footweartype. According to an aspect, the second footwear type is a minimalfootwear and the desired footstrike pattern is a midfoot or forefootstrike pattern. The indication may further include a degree of deviationfrom the footstrike template. The indication may be visual, audible,tactile, and/or other type of indication.

According to one aspect, the electronic device is further configured forrecording a plurality of data points for the user during an athleticactivity session and providing feedback to the user based on datarecorded during the athletic activity session. The feedback provided tothe user may include a suggested activity report for a subsequentathletic activity and/or a suggested stretching activity.

According to another aspect, the electronic device is further configuredfor recording a plurality of athletic activity sessions for a user andmodifying a duration of the transitional program based on at least oneof an amount or number of recorded deviations, a total time of recordeddata, and a total distance of recorded data. The electronic device mayfurther be configured for receiving a user input corresponding to aperceived discomfort during an athletic activity.

According to another aspect, the footwear transitional program iscustomizable by a user type and may be based on at least one of age,weight, gender, excursion distance and speed. The footwear transitionalprogram may include a plurality of desired footstrike patterns varyingthroughout the footwear transitional program, with a final desiredfootstrike pattern corresponding to a most preferred footstrike for thesecond footwear type and the electronic device may vary the desiredfootstrike pattern after a designated amount of usage. The deviation maybe determined to exist if the degree of deviation is determined toexceed a predetermined threshold.

According to another aspect, generating the indication includestransmitting a signal to a second electronic device, where the signal isconfigured to cause the second electronic device to generate theindication.

According to a further aspect, comparing the data to the footstriketemplate includes detecting a footstrike pattern based on analysis ofthe data and comparing the footstrike pattern to the footstriketemplate. In one embodiment, the plurality of sensors are located indifferent locations on the article of footwear, and the footstrikepattern is detected based on the sequence of the forces sensed by thesensors and/or the level of the forces sensed by the sensors. In anotherembodiment, the plurality of sensors are further configured to measure apressure distribution under the foot and the electronic device isfurther configured for comparing pressure distribution data to a footpressure template.

According to yet another aspect, the system further includes a GPSmodule configured for detecting the user's position, where the GPSmodule is in communication with the electronic device. The GPS modulemay be located within the electronic device, within the electronicmodule, or elsewhere. The electronic device is further configured forgenerating an indication of the user's position to the user based oncommunication with the GPS module. In one embodiment, where the GPSmodule is located within the electronic module, the electronic device isfurther configured for receiving position information regarding theuser's position from the electronic module and generating the indicationof the user's position to the user based on the position information. Inanother embodiment, the electronic device may be further configured forreceiving environmental information related to the user's position,which may be obtained by communication with an external server or otherdevice, and for communicating the environmental information to the user,such as by video and/or audio display. Such environmental informationmay be used for presenting a suggested travel route to the user based onthe environmental information. In a further embodiment, the electronicdevice may further be configured for receiving terrain informationrelated to the user's position and altering the footstrike templatebased on the terrain information. Such terrain information may also beobtained by communication with an external server or other device.

According to a further aspect, the system further includes a leg sensorsystem configured to sense force exerted on a leg of a user and operablyconnected to the electronic device. The electronic device is furtherconfigured to compare the sensed force to a biomechanical movementtemplate, the biomechanical movement template corresponding to a desiredbiomechanical leg movement pattern of the footwear transitional program,to determine whether a deviation from the biomechanical movementtemplate exists and to generate an indication to the user when thedeviation from the desired biomechanical leg movement pattern isdetermined to exist. In some examples, the indication further includes adegree of deviation from the biomechanical movement template.

According to a still further aspect, the electronic device may alter thefootstrike template after a designated amount of usage, such as adesignated amount of time or a designated running distance.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to a system for analyzingathletic activity that may be used in connection with a sensor systemincluding a plurality of force sensors configured to be engaged with anarticle of footwear and configured to sense force exerted by a user'sfoot and an electronic device in communication with the sensor system.The electronic device is configured to receive data generated by thesensor system, analyze the data to determine whether a deviation from adesired footstrike pattern exists, and generate an indication to theuser when the deviation from the desired footstrike pattern isdetermined to exist, wherein the indication comprises at least one of avisual indication, an audible indication, and a tactile indication. Anyof the various aspects described above may be used in connection withthis system.

Further aspects of the invention relate to a computer-assisted methodfor transitioning from a first footwear type to a second footwear type.The method may include receiving data, at a processor of an electronicdevice, from a sensor system configured for sensing biomechanicalmovement of a foot of a user during an athletic activity session, thesensor system includes an electronic module configured for wirelesstransmission of data generated by the sensor system, and wherein thedata is received from the electronic module. The method may furtherinclude analyzing the data to determine whether a deviation from adesired footstrike pattern corresponding to the second footwear typeexists, and generating an indication to the user upon completion of theathletic activity session, wherein the indication comprises at least oneof a number and degree of deviations during the athletic activity, asuggested stretching activity, and a suggested activity report for asubsequent athletic activity.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium including computer-executable instructionsconfigured to cause an electronic device to receive data from a sensorsystem configured for sensing biomechanical movement of a foot of auser, the sensor system including an electronic module configured forwireless transmission of data generated by the sensor system, andwherein the data is received from the electronic module. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium may further include instructionsthat, when executed, cause the electronic device to detect a footstrikepattern based on analysis of the data, compare the footstrike pattern toa desired footstrike pattern corresponding to a footwear type todetermine whether a deviation from the desired footstrike patternexists, and generate an indication to the user when the deviation fromthe desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist In some examples,the indication may include a degree of deviation from the desiredfootstrike pattern.

Further aspects of the invention relate to a system for transitioningfrom a first footwear type to a second footwear type including a sensorsystem configured to sense a biomechanical movement of a foot of a userand an electronic module configured for wireless transmission of datagenerated by the sensor system. The system may also include anelectronic device in communication with the electronic module. Theelectronic device is configured for selecting a footwear transitionprogram, each footwear transition program comprising a plurality ofdesired footstrike patterns corresponding to a preferred footstrike forthe second footwear type, receiving data from the electronic module,comparing the data to a footstrike template to determine whether adeviation from the footstrike template exists, wherein the deviation isdetermined to exist if a degree of deviation from the footstriketemplate is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold, andgenerating an indication to the user when a deviation from the desiredfootstrike pattern is determined to exist. The footstrike template mayinclude a midfoot-strike template or a forefoot-strike template, and theplurality of desired footstrike patterns may transition from aheel-strike pattern to a midfoot-strike pattern or a forefoot-strikepattern. Additionally, the indication may include an indication of thedegree of deviation and the indication may include at least one of avisual indication, an audible indication, and a tactile indication. Thefootstrike templates may vary based on collected user information,and/or may vary after a predetermined amount of usage. The electronicdevice may further be configured for recording the data and providing asummary of recorded data to the user and/or generating an alert to theuser when a number of recorded deviations exceeds a predetermineddeviation count threshold. Any of the various aspects described abovemay be used in connection with this system, and it is understood thatthe system may be modified for use with different sensor systems anddifferent articles of apparel.

Still further aspects of the invention relate to a system for analyzingathletic activity that may be used in connection with an article ofapparel including a sensor system with a plurality of sensors engagedwith the article of apparel and configured to sense a biomechanicalparameter of a user while the user is in biomechanical movement. Thesystem may further include a GPS module configured for detecting theuser's position, and an electronic device in communication with thesensor system, where the GPS module is in communication with theelectronic device. The electronic device is configured for receivingdata generated by the sensor system, comparing the data to abiomechanical movement template corresponding to the desiredbiomechanical movement pattern to determine whether a deviation from thebiomechanical movement template exists, and generating an indication tothe user when the deviation from the desired biomechanical movementpattern is determined to exist. The electronic device is also configuredfor receiving the user's position from the GPS module and receivingterrain information related to the user's position and altering thebiomechanical movement template based on the terrain information.

Other aspects of the invention relate to a method that involvesperforming some or all of the functions of the system as describedabove, including functions performed by the electronic device, theelectronic module, or other apparatuses described above. Such a methodmay be computer-assisted. Aspects of the invention may similarly relateto a tangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable medium containingcomputer-executable instructions configured to cause an electronicdevice (or a processor of such a device) to perform some or all of thefunctions of the system as described above.

Still other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To allow for a more full understanding of the present invention, it willnow be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a shoe;

FIG. 2 is an opposed side view of the shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a sole of a shoe (having a shoeupper removed and a foot contacting member folded aside) incorporatingone embodiment of a sensor system that is configured for use inconnection with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the sole and the sensor system ofFIG. 3, with a foot contacting member of the shoe removed and anelectronic module removed;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an electronic modulecapable of use with a sensor system, in communication with an externalelectronic device;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an insert of the sensor system of FIG. 3,adapted to be positioned within the sole structure of an article offootwear for a user's right foot;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the insert of FIG. 6 and a similar sensor systemadapted for use in the sole structure of an article of footwear for auser's left foot;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the insert of FIG. 6, showingfour different layers;

FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of acircuit formed by the components of the sensor system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a pair of shoes, each containing asensor system, in a mesh communication mode with an external device;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a pair of shoes, each containing asensor system, in a “daisy chain” communication mode with an externaldevice;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a pair of shoes, each containing asensor system, in an independent communication mode with an externaldevice;

FIG. 13 is a plot showing pressure vs. resistance for one embodiment ofa sensor according to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a port and a housingfor connection to an electronic module, attached to an insert member;

FIG. 14B is a cross-section view of the port and housing of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a module according to aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the module of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a front view of an article of apparel in the form of a shirt,incorporating one embodiment of a sensor system that is configured foruse in connection with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a front view of an article of apparel in the form of alegwear, incorporating one embodiment of a sensor system that isconfigured for use in connection with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a rear view of the legwear of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an article offootwear having a sensor system with an electronic module incommunication with external electronic devices;

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an article offootwear having a sensor system in communication with an externalelectronic device;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a sockliner for an article of footwearincluding another embodiment of a sensor system;

FIG. 23A is a magnified cross-sectional view of a sensor of the sensorsystem of FIG. 22, taken along lines 23-23 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 23B is a magnified cross-sectional view of a sensor of anotherembodiment of a sensor system connected to a sockliner for an article offootwear;

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method foranalysis of an athletic activity utilizing a template for biomechanicalmovement;

FIG. 25 is a bar graph showing maximum pressure measured for afootstrike using four sensors located in different locations on anarticle of footwear, with broken lines illustrating one embodiment of afootstrike template;

FIG. 26 is a graph showing pressure measured over time for a footstrikeusing four sensors located in different locations on an article offootwear, with broken lines illustrating another embodiment of afootstrike template;

FIG. 27 is a graph showing pressure measured over time for a footstrikeusing four sensors located in different locations on an article offootwear, with even-length broken lines illustrating the footstriketemplate of FIG. 25 and uneven-length broken lines illustrating oneembodiment of an intermediate footstrike template;

FIG. 28 is a graph showing activation of a binary-type sensor over timefor a footstrike using four sensors located in different locations on anarticle of footwear, with broken lines illustrating another embodimentof a footstrike template;

FIG. 29 is a front view of an electronic device with a graphical displayshowing force or impact of a footstrike; and

FIG. 30 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method foraltering a template for biomechanical movement that is usable inconnection with analysis of an athletic activity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described indetail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described.

In general, a system and method are provided for analyzing athleticactivity and biomechanical movement in such athletic activity, which maybe used in connection with a sensor system for sensing at least onebiomechanical parameter. The system and method can also provide coachingfeedback to a user based on such analysis. The feedback provided to theuser can include an indication that the user's biomechanical movement isdeviating from a desired biomechanical movement pattern, and the systemand method may utilize biomechanical movement templates for comparisonwith biomechanical parameters sensed by the sensor system in order todetermine such deviation. A variety of embodiments and features of sucha system and method are described below.

In one embodiment, the system may be used to provide coaching and/orother feedback to a user to assist the user in developing a specificfootstrike pattern while running, walking, or otherwise moving by foot.Such a system may be used in connection with an article of footwear,such as a shoe, which is shown as an example in FIGS. 1-2 and generallydesignated with the reference numeral 100. The footwear 100 can takemany different forms, including, for example, various types of athleticfootwear. In one exemplary embodiment, the shoe 100 generally includes aforce and/or pressure sensor system 12 operably connected to a universalcommunication port 14. As described in greater detail below, the sensorsystem 12 collects performance data relating to a wearer of the shoe100. Through connection to the universal communication port 14, multipledifferent users can access the performance data for a variety ofdifferent uses as described in greater detail below.

An article of footwear 100 is depicted in FIGS. 1-2 as including anupper 120 and a sole structure 130. For purposes of reference in thefollowing description, footwear 100 may be divided into three generalregions: a forefoot region 111, a midfoot region 112, and a heel region113, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Regions 111-113 are not intended todemarcate precise areas of footwear 100. Rather, regions 111-113 areintended to represent general areas of footwear 100 that provide a frameof reference during the following discussion. Although regions 111-113apply generally to footwear 100, references to regions 111-113 also mayapply specifically to upper 120, sole structure 130, or individualcomponents included within and/or formed as part of either upper 120 orsole structure 130.

As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper 120 is secured to solestructure 130 and defines a void or chamber for receiving a foot. Forpurposes of reference, upper 120 includes a lateral side 121, anopposite medial side 122, and a vamp or instep area 123. Lateral side121 is positioned to extend along a lateral side of the foot (i.e., theoutside) and generally passes through each of regions 111-113.Similarly, medial side 122 is positioned to extend along an oppositemedial side of the foot (i.e., the inside) and generally passes througheach of regions 111-113. Vamp area 123 is positioned between lateralside 121 and medial side 122 to correspond with an upper surface orinstep area of the foot. Vamp area 123, in this illustrated example,includes a throat 124 having a lace 125 or other desired closuremechanism that is utilized in a conventional manner to modify thedimensions of upper 120 relative the foot, thereby adjusting the fit offootwear 100. Upper 120 also includes an ankle opening 126 that providesthe foot with access to the void within upper 120. A variety ofmaterials may be used for constructing upper 120, including materialsthat are conventionally utilized in footwear uppers. Accordingly, upper120 may be formed from one or more portions of leather, syntheticleather, natural or synthetic textiles, polymer sheets, polymer foams,mesh textiles, felts, non-woven polymers, or rubber materials, forexample. The upper 120 may be formed from one or more of these materialswherein the materials or portions thereof are stitched or adhesivelybonded together, e.g., in manners that are conventionally known and usedin the art.

Upper 120 may also include a heel element (not shown) and a toe element(not shown). The heel element, when present, may extend upward and alongthe interior surface of upper 120 in the heel region 113 to enhance thecomfort of footwear 100. The toe element, when present, may be locatedin forefoot region 111 and on an exterior surface of upper 120 toprovide wear-resistance, protect the wearer's toes, and assist withpositioning of the foot. In some embodiments, one or both of the heelelement and the toe element may be absent, or the heel element may bepositioned on an exterior surface of the upper 120, for example.Although the configuration of upper 120 discussed above is suitable forfootwear 100, upper 120 may exhibit the configuration of any desiredconventional or non-conventional upper structure without departing fromthis invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sole structure 130 is secured to a lower surfaceof upper 120 and may have a generally conventional shape. The solestructure 130 may have a multipiece structure, e.g., one that includes amidsole 131, an outsole 132, and a foot contacting member 133. The footcontacting member 133 is typically a thin, compressible member that maybe located within the void in upper 120 and adjacent to a lower surfaceof the foot (or between the upper 120 and midsole 131) to enhance thecomfort of footwear 100. In various embodiments, the foot contactingmember 133 may be a sockliner, a strobel, an insole member, a bootieelement, a sock, etc. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-4, the footcontacting member 133 is an insole member or a sockliner. The term “footcontacting member,” as used herein does not necessarily imply directcontact with the user's foot, as another element may interfere withdirect contact. Rather, the foot contacting member forms a portion ofthe inner surface of the foot-receiving chamber of an article offootwear. For example, the user may be wearing a sock that interfereswith direct contact. As another example, the sensor system 12 may beincorporated into an article of footwear that is designed to slip over ashoe or other article of footwear, such as an external bootie element orshoe cover. In such an article, the upper portion of the sole structuremay be considered a foot contacting member, even though it does notdirectly contact the foot of the user. In some arrangements, an insoleor sockliner may be absent, and in other embodiments, the footwear 100may have a foot contacting member positioned on top of an insole orsockliner.

Midsole member 131 may be or include an impact attenuating member, andmay include multiple members or elements in some embodiments. Forexample, the midsole member 131 may be formed of polymer foam material,such as polyurethane, ethylvinylacetate, or other materials (such asphylon, phylite, etc.) that compress to attenuate ground or othercontact surface reaction forces during walking, running, jumping, orother activities. In some example structures according to thisinvention, the polymer foam material may encapsulate or include variouselements, such as a fluid-filled bladder or moderator, that enhance thecomfort, motion-control, stability, and/or ground or other contactsurface reaction force attenuation properties of footwear 100. In stillother example structures, the midsole 131 may include additionalelements that compress to attenuate ground or other contact surfacereaction forces. For instance, the midsole 131 may include column typeelements to aid in cushioning and absorption of forces.

Outsole 132 is secured to a lower surface of midsole 131 in thisillustrated example footwear structure 100 and is formed of awear-resistant material, such as rubber or a flexible syntheticmaterial, such as polyurethane, that contacts the ground or othersurface during ambulatory or other activities. The material formingoutsole 132 may be manufactured of suitable materials and/or textured toimpart enhanced traction and slip resistance. The outsole 132 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 is shown to include a plurality of incisions or sipes 136in either or both sides of the outsole 132, although many other types ofoutsoles 132 with various types of treads, contours, and otherstructures may be used in connection with the present invention. It isunderstood that embodiments of the present invention may be used inconnection with other types and configurations of shoes, as well asother types of footwear and sole structures.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the footwear 100incorporating a sensor system 12 in accordance with the presentinvention, and FIGS. 3-8 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the sensorsystem 12. The sensor system 12 may include any of the features orembodiments of the sensor system described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/401,918, which application is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety and made part hereof. The sensor system 12includes an insert member 37 having a force and/or pressure sensorassembly 13 connected thereto. It is understood that the use of theinsert member 37 is one embodiment, and that an article of footwearincluding a different type of sensor system 12 may be utilized inconnection with the athletic analysis system 400 and method 500described herein. It is also understood that insert 37 may have anynumber of different configurations, shapes, and structures, andincluding a different number and/or configuration of sensors 16, and adifferent insert structure or peripheral shape.

The insert member 37 is configured to be positioned in contact with thesole structure 130 of the footwear 100, and in one embodiment, theinsert member 37 is configured to be positioned underneath the footcontacting member 133 and over the top of the midsole member 131 and ingeneral confronting relation. The sensor assembly 13 includes aplurality of sensors 16, and a communication or output port 14 incommunication with the sensor assembly 13 (e.g., electrically connectedvia conductors). The port 14 is configured for communicating datareceived from the sensors 16, such as to an electronic module (alsoreferred to as an electronic control unit) 22 as described below. Theport 14 and/or the module 22 may be configured to communicate with anexternal device, as also described below. In the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 3-8, the system 12 has four sensors 16: a first sensor 16 a atthe big toe (first phalange or hallux) area of the shoe, two sensors 16b-c at the forefoot area of the shoe, including a second sensor 16 b atthe first metatarsal head region and a third sensor 16 c at the fifthmetatarsal head region, and a fourth sensor 16 d at the heel. Theseareas of the foot typically experience the greatest degree of pressureduring movement. Each sensor 16 is configured for detecting a pressureexerted by a user's foot on the sensor 16. The sensors communicate withthe port 14 through sensor leads 18, which may be wire leads and/oranother electrical conductor or suitable communication medium. Forexample, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-8, the sensor leads 18 may be anelectrically conductive medium that is printed on the insert member 37,such as a silver-based ink or other metallic ink, such as an ink basedon copper and/or tin. The leads 18 may alternately be provided as thinwires in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the leads 18 may beconnected to the foot contacting member 133, the midsole member 131, oranother member of the sole structure 130.

Other embodiments of the sensor system 12 may contain a different numberor configuration of sensors 16, and generally include at least onesensor 16. For example, in one embodiment, the system 12 includes a muchlarger number of sensors, and in another embodiment, the system 12includes two sensors, one in the heel and one in the forefoot of theshoe 100. As another example, the system 12 may include one or moresensors in other locations on the shoe 100, such as connected to theupper in one embodiment (not shown), such as to measure cutting/shearforce, kick force, etc. In addition, the sensors 16 may communicate withthe port 14 in a different manner, including any known type of wired orwireless communication, including Bluetooth and near-fieldcommunication. A pair of shoes may be provided with sensor systems 12 ineach shoe of the pair, and it is understood that the paired sensorsystems may operate synergistically or may operate independently of eachother, and that the sensor systems in each shoe may or may notcommunicate with each other. The communication of the sensor systems 12is described in greater detail below. It is understood that the sensorsystem 12 may be provided with computer programs/algorithms to controlcollection and storage of data (e.g., pressure data from interaction ofa user's foot with the ground or other contact surface), and that theseprograms/algorithms may be stored in and/or executed by the sensors 16,the module 22, and/or the external device 110.

The sensor system 12 can be positioned in several configurations in thesole 130 of the shoe 100. In the examples shown in FIGS. 3-4, the port14, the sensors 16, and the leads 18 can be positioned between themidsole 131 and the foot contacting member 133, such as by positioningthe insert member 37 between the midsole 131 and the foot contactingmember 133. The insert member 37 may be connected to one or both of themidsole and the foot contacting member 133 in one embodiment. A cavityor well 135 can be located in the midsole 131 and/or in the footcontacting member 133 for receiving the electronic module 22, asdescribed below, and the port 14 may be accessible from within the well135 in one embodiment. The well 135 may further contain a housing 24 forthe module 22, and the housing 24 may be configured for connection tothe port 14, such as by providing physical space for the port 14 and/orby providing hardware for interconnection between the port 14 and themodule 22. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-4, the well 135 is formedby a cavity in the upper major surface of the midsole 131. As shown inFIGS. 3-4, the sole structure 130 may include a compressible sole member138 that has a hole formed therein to receive the housing 24, whichprovides access to the well 135 and/or may be considered a portion ofthe well 135. The insert 37 can be placed on top of the compressiblesole member 138 to place the housing 24 in the well 135. Thecompressible sole member 138 may confront the midsole 131 in oneembodiment, and may be in direct contact with the midsole 131. It isunderstood that the compressible sole member 138 may confront themidsole 131 with one or more additional structures positioned betweenthe compressible sole member 138 and the midsole 131, such as a strobelmember. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-4, the compressible sole member 138is in the form of a foam member 138 (e.g. an EVA member) located betweenthe foot contacting member 133 and the midsole 131, which may beconsidered a lower insole/sockliner in this embodiment. The foam member138 may be bonded to a strobel (not shown) of the midsole 131 in oneembodiment, such as by use of an adhesive, and may cover any stitchingon the strobel, which can prevent abrasion of the insert 37 by thestitching.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-4, the housing 24 has a plurality ofwalls, including side walls 25 and a base wall 26, and also includes aflange or lip 28 that extends outward from the tops of the side walls 25and is configured for connection to the insert 37. In one embodiment,the flange 28 is a separate member that connects to a tub 29 to form thehousing 24, via pegs (not shown) that connect through holes 28B (FIG. 6)in the insert 37 located at the front end of the hole 27. The pegs maybe connected via ultrasonic welding or other technique, and may bereceived in receivers in one embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, anarticle of footwear 100 may be manufactured with the tub 29 formed inthe sole structure 130, and the flange 28 may be later connected, suchas by a snap connection, optionally after other portions of the porthave also been assembled. The housing 24 may include retaining structureto retain the module 22 within the housing 24, and such retainingstructure may be complementary with retaining structure on the module22, such as a tab/flange and slot arrangement, complementary tabs,locking members, friction-fit members, etc. The housing 24 also includesa finger recess 29A located in the flange 28 and/or the tub 29, whichprovides room for the user's finger to engage the module 22 to removethe module 22 from the housing 24. The flange 28 provides a wide baseengaging the top of the insert 37, which spreads out the forces exertedon the insert 37 and/or on the foot contacting member 133 by the flange28, which creates less likelihood of severe deflection and/or damage ofsuch components. The rounded corners on the flange 28 also assists inavoiding damage to the insert 37 and/or the foot contacting member 133.It is understood that the flange 28 may have a different shape and/orcontour in other embodiments, and may provide similar functionality withdifferent shapes and/or contours.

The foot contacting member 133 is configured to be placed on top of thefoam member 138 to cover the insert 37, and may contain an indent 134 inits lower major surface to provide space for the housing 24, as shown inFIG. 3. The foot contacting member 133 may be adhered to the foam member138, and in one embodiment, may be adhered only in the forefoot regionto permit the foot contacting member 133 to be pulled up to access themodule 22, as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, the foot contacting member133 may include a tacky or high-friction material (not shown) located onat least a portion of the underside to resist slippage against theinsert 37 and/or the foam member 138, such as a silicone material. Forexample, in an embodiment where the foot contacting member 133 isadhered in the forefoot region and free in the heel region (e.g. FIG.3), the foot contacting member 133 may have the tacky material locatedon the heel region. The tacky material may also provide enhanced sealingto resist penetration of dirt into the sensor system. In anotherembodiment, the foot contacting member 133 may include a door or hatch(not shown) configured to be located over the port 14 and sized topermit insertion and/or removal of the module 22 through the footcontacting member 133, which door or hatch may be opened in variousmanners, such as swinging on a hinge or removal of a plug-like element.In one embodiment, the foot contacting member 133 may also have graphicindicia (not shown) thereon, as described below.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the foam member 138 may alsoinclude a recess 139 having the same peripheral shape as the insert 37to receive the insert 37 therein, and the bottom layer 69 (FIG. 8) ofthe insert member 37 may include adhesive backing to retain the insert37 within the recess 139. In one embodiment, a relatively strongadhesive, such as a quick bonding acrylic adhesive, may be utilized forthis purpose. The insert 37 has a hole or space 27 for receiving andproviding room for the housing 24, and the foam member 138 in thisembodiment may also allow the housing 24 to pass completely through intoand/or through at least a portion of the strobel and/or the midsole 131.In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-4, the foot contacting member 133 mayhave a thickness that is reduced relative to a typical foot contactingmember 133 (e.g. sockliner), with the thickness of the foam member 138being substantially equal to the reduction in thickness of the footcontacting member 133, to provide equivalent cushioning. In oneembodiment, the foot contacting member 133 may be a sockliner with athickness of about 2-3 mm, and the foam member 138 may have a thicknessof about 2 mm, with the recess 139 having a depth of about 1 mm. Thefoam member 138 may be adhesively connected to the insert member 37prior to connecting the foam member 138 to the article of footwear 100in one embodiment. This configuration permits the adhesive between thefoam member 138 and the insert 37 to set in a flat condition beforeattaching the foam member to the strobel or other portion of thefootwear 100, which is typically bends or curves the foam member 138 andmay otherwise cause delamination. The foam member 138 with the insert 37adhesively attached may be provided in this configuration as a singleproduct for insertion into an article of footwear 100 in one embodiment.The positioning of the port 14 in FIGS. 3-4 not only presents minimalcontact, irritation, or other interference with the user's foot, butalso provides easy accessibility by simply lifting the foot contactingmember 133.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-4, the housing 24 extends completelythrough the insert 37 and the foam member 138, and the well 135 may alsoextend completely through the strobel and partially into the midsole 131of the footwear 100 to receive the housing 24. In another embodiment,the well 135 may be differently configured, and may be positionedcompletely underneath the strobel in one embodiment, with a windowthrough the strobel to permit access to the module 22 in the well 135.The well 135 may be formed using a variety of techniques, includingcutting or removing material from the strobel and/or the midsole 131,forming the strobel and/or the midsole 131 with the well containedtherein, or other techniques or combinations of such techniques. Thehousing 24 may fit closely with the walls of the well 135, which can beadvantageous, as gaps between the housing 24 and the well 135 may besources of material failure. The process of removing the piece 135 maybe automated using appropriate computer control equipment.

The well 135 may be located elsewhere in the sole structure 130 infurther embodiments. For example, the well 135 may be located in theupper major surface of the foot contacting member 133 and the insert 37can be placed on top of the foot contacting member 133. As anotherexample, the well 135 may be located in the lower major surface of thefoot contacting member 133, with the insert 37 located between the footcontacting member 133 and the midsole 131. As a further example, thewell 135 may be located in the outsole 132 and may be accessible fromoutside the shoe 100, such as through an opening in the side, bottom, orheel of the sole 130. In the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 3-4,the port 14 is easily accessible for connection or disconnection of anelectronic module 22, as described below. In another embodiment, thefoot contacting member 133 may have the insert 37 connected to thebottom surface, and the port 14 and the well 135 may be formed in thesole structure 130. The interface 20 is positioned on the side of thehousing 24 as similarly shown with respect to other embodiments,although it is understood that the interface 20 could be positionedelsewhere, such as for engagement through the top of the module 22. Themodule 22 may be altered to accommodate such a change. Otherconfigurations and arrangements of the housing 24, the insert 37, themodule 22, and/or the interface may be utilized in further embodiments.

In other embodiments, the sensor system 12 can be positioneddifferently. For example, in one embodiment, the insert 37 can bepositioned within the outsole 132, midsole 131, or foot contactingmember 133. In one exemplary embodiment, insert 37 may be positionedwithin a foot contacting member 133 positioned above an insole member,such as a sock, sockliner, interior footwear bootie, or other similararticle, or may be positioned between the foot contacting member 133 andthe insole member. Still other configurations are possible. Asdiscussed, it is understood that the sensor system 12 may be included ineach shoe in a pair.

The insert member 37 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-8 isformed of multiple layers, including at least a first layer 66 and asecond layer 68. The first and second layers 66, 68 may be formed of aflexible film material, such as a Mylar® or other PET (polyethyleneterephthalate) film, or another polymer film, such as polyamide. In oneembodiment, the first and second layers 66, 68 may each be PET filmshaving thicknesses of 0.05-0.2 mm, such as a thickness of 125 μm.Additionally, in one embodiment, each of the first and second layers 66,68 has a minimum bend radius of equal to or less than 2 mm. The insert37 may further include a spacer layer 67 positioned between the firstand second layers 66, 68 and/or a bottom layer 69 positioned on thebottom of the insert 37 below the second layer 68, which are included inthe embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-8. The layers 66, 67, 68, 69 ofthe insert 37 are stacked on top of each other and in confrontingrelation to each other, and in one embodiment, the layers 66, 67, 68, 69all have similar or identical peripheral shapes and are superimposed onone another (FIG. 9). In one embodiment, the spacer layer 67 and thebottom layer 69 may each have a thickness of 89-111 μm, such as athickness of 100 μm. The entire thickness of the insert member 37 may beabout 450 μm in one embodiment, or about 428-472 μm in anotherembodiment, and about 278-622 μm in a further embodiment. The insert 37may also include additional adhesive that is 100-225 μm thick, and mayfurther include one or more selective reinforcement layers, such asadditional PET layers, in other embodiments. Additionally, in oneembodiment, the entire four-layer insert as described above has aminimum bend radius of equal to or less than 5 mm. It is understood thatthe orientations of the first and second layers 66, 68 may be reversedin another embodiment, such as by placing the second layer 68 as the toplayer and the first layer 66 below the second layer 68. In theembodiment of FIGS. 3-8, the first and second layers 66, 68 have variouscircuitry and other components printed thereon, including the sensors16, the leads 18, resistors 53, 54, a pathway 50, dielectric patches 80,and other components, which are described in greater detail below. Thecomponents are printed on the underside of the first layer 66 and on theupper side of the second layer 68 in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-8,however in other embodiments, at least some components may be printed onthe opposite sides of the first and second layers 66, 68. It isunderstood that components located on the first layer 66 and/or thesecond layer 68 may be moved/transposed to the other layer 66, 68.

The layers 66, 67, 68, 69 can be connected together by an adhesive orother bonding material in one embodiment. The spacer layer 67 maycontain adhesive on one or both surfaces in one embodiment to connect tothe first and second layers 66, 68. The bottom layer 69 may likewisehave adhesive on one or both surfaces, to connect to the second layer 68as well as to the article of footwear 100. The first or second layers66, 68 may additionally or alternately have adhesive surfaces for thispurpose. A variety of other techniques can be used for connecting thelayers 66, 67, 68, 69 in other embodiments, such as heat sealing, spotwelding, or other known techniques.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-8, the sensors 16 are forceand/or pressure sensors for measuring pressure and/or force on the sole130. The sensors 16 have a resistance that decreases as pressure on thesensor 16 increases, such that measurement of the resistance through theport 14 can be performed to detect the pressure on the sensor 16. Thesensors 16 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-8 are elliptical orobround in shape, which enables a single sensor size to be utilized inseveral different shoe sizes. The sensors 16 in this embodiment eachinclude two contacts 40, 42, including a first contact 40 positioned onthe first layer 66 and a second contact 42 positioned on the secondlayer 68. It is understood that the figures illustrating the first layer66 herein are top views, and that the electronic structures (includingthe contacts 40, the leads 18, etc.) are positioned on the bottom sideof the first layer 66 and viewed through a transparent or translucentfirst layer 66 unless specifically noted otherwise. The contacts 40, 42are positioned opposite each other and are in superimposed relation toeach other, so that pressure on the insert member 37, such as by theuser's foot, causes increased engagement between the contacts 40, 42.The resistance of the sensor 16 decreases as the engagement between thecontacts 40, 42 increases, and the module 22 is configured to detectpressure based on changes in resistance of the sensors 16. In oneembodiment, the contacts 40, 42 may be formed by conductive patches thatare printed on the first and second layers 66, 68, such as in theembodiment of FIGS. 3-8, and the two contacts 40, 42 may be formed ofthe same or different materials. Additionally, in one embodiment, theleads 18 are formed of a material that has a higher conductivity andlower resistivity than the material(s) of the sensor contacts 40, 42.For example, the patches may be formed of carbon black or anotherconductive carbon material. Further, in one embodiment, the two contacts40, 42 may be formed of the same material or two materials with similarhardnesses, which can reduce abrasion and wear due to differences inhardness of the materials in contact with each other. In thisembodiment, the first contacts 40 are printed on the underside of thefirst layer 66, and the second contacts 42 are printed on the top sideof the second layer 68, to permit engagement between the contacts 40,42. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-8 includes the spacer layer67, which has holes 43 positioned at each sensor 16 to permit engagementof the contacts 40, 42 through the spacer layer 67, while insulatingother portions of the first and second layers 66, 68 from each other. Inone embodiment, each hole 43 is aligned with one of the sensors 16 andpermits at least partial engagement between the contacts 40, 42 of therespective sensor 16. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-8, theholes 43 are smaller in area than the sensor contacts 40, 42, allowingthe central portions of the contacts 40, 42 to engage each other, whileinsulating outer portions of the contacts 40, 42 and the distributionleads 18A from each other (See, e.g., FIG. 8). In another embodiment,the holes 43 may be sized to permit engagement between the contacts 40,42 over their entire surfaces. It is understood that the size,dimensions, contours, and structure of the sensors 16 and the contacts40, 42 may be altered in other embodiments while retaining similarfunctionality. It is also understood that sensors 16 having the samesizes may be utilized in different sizes of inserts 37 for differentshoe sizes, in which case the dimensions of the sensors 16 relative tothe overall dimensions of the insert 37 may be different for differentinsert 37 sizes. In other embodiments, the sensor system 12 may havesensors 16 that are differently configured than the sensors 16 of theembodiment of FIGS. 3-8. In a further example, the sensors 16 mayutilize a different configuration that does not include carbon-based orsimilar contacts 40, 42 and/or may not function as a resistive sensor16. Examples of such sensors include a capacitive pressure sensor or astrain gauge pressure sensor, among other examples.

As further shown in FIGS. 3-8, in one embodiment, the insert 37 mayinclude an internal airflow system 70 configured to allow airflowthrough the insert 37 during compression and/or flexing of the insert37. FIG. 8 illustrates the components of the airflow system 70 ingreater detail. The airflow system 70 may include one or more airpassages or channels 71 that lead from the sensors 16 to one or morevents 72, to allow air to flow from the sensor 16 during compression,between the first and second layers 66, 68 and outward through thevent(s) 72 to the exterior of the insert 37. The airflow system 70resists excessive pressure buildup during compression of the sensors 16,and also permits consistent separation of the contacts 40, 42 of thesensors 16 at various air pressures and altitudes, leading to moreconsistent performance. The channels 71 may be formed between the firstand second layers 66, 68. As shown in FIG. 8, the spacer layer 67 hasthe channels 71 formed therein, and the air can flow through thesechannels 71 between the first and second layers 66, 68, to theappropriate vent(s) 72. The vents 72 may have filters (not shown)covering them in one embodiment. These filters may be configured topermit air, moisture, and debris to pass out of the vents 72 and resistmoisture and debris passage into the vents 72. In another embodiment,the insert 37 may not contain a spacer layer, and the channels 71 may beformed by not sealing the layers 66, 68 together in a specific pattern,such as by application of a non-sealable material. Thus, the airflowsystem 70 may be considered to be integral with or directly defined bythe layers 66, 68 in such an embodiment. In other embodiments, theairflow system 70 may contain a different number or configuration of airchannels 71, vents 72, and/or other passages.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-8, the airflow system 70includes two vents 72 and a plurality of air channels 71 connecting eachof the four sensors 16 to one of the vents 72. The spacer layer 67includes holes 43 at each sensor in this embodiment, and the channels 71are connected to the holes 43 to permit air to flow away from the sensor16 through the channel 71. Additionally, in this embodiment, two of thesensors 16 are connected to each of the vents 72 through channels 71.For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 8 the first metatarsal sensor16 b has a channel 71 that extends to a vent 72 slightly behind thefirst metatarsal area of the insert 37, and the first phalangeal sensor16 a has a channel 71 that also extends to the same vent 72, via apassageway that includes traveling through the first metatarsal sensor16 b. In other words, the first phalangeal sensor 16 a has a channel 71that extends from the hole 43 at the first phalangeal sensor 16 a to thehole 43 at the first metatarsal sensor 16 b, and another channel 71extends from the first metatarsal sensor 16 b to the vent 72. The fifthmetatarsal sensor 16 c and the heel sensor 16 d also share a common vent72, located in the heel portion of the insert 37. One channel 71 extendsrearward from the hole 43 at the fifth metatarsal sensor 16 c to thevent 72, and another channel 71 extends forward from the hole 43 at theheel sensor 16 d to the vent 72. Sharing the vents 72 among multiplesensors can decrease expense, particularly by avoiding the need foradditional filters 73. In other embodiments, the airflow system 70 mayhave a different configuration. For example, each sensor 16 may have itsown individual vent 72, or more than two sensors 16 may share the samevent 72, in various embodiments.

Each vent 72 is formed as an opening in a bottom side of the secondlayer 68 (i.e. opposite the first layer 66), such that the openingpermits outward flow of air, moisture, and/or debris from the airflowsystem 70, as seen in FIG. 9. In another embodiment, the vent 72 mayinclude multiple openings. In a further embodiment, the vent 72 mayadditionally or alternately be formed by an opening in the first layer66, causing the air to vent upwards out of the insert 37. In anadditional embodiment, the vent 72 may be on the side (thin edge) of theinsert 37, such as by extending the channel 71 to the edge, such thatthe channel 71 opens through the edge to the exterior of the insert 37.The venting of the air downward, as in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 3-8, makes it more difficult for debris to enter the vent 72. Thebottom layer 69, if present, also includes apertures 74 located belowthe vents 72, to permit the air flowing out of the vents 72 to passthrough the bottom layer 69. The apertures 74 are significantly largerthan the vents 72, in order to allow filters to be adhesively attachedto the second layer 68 through the bottom layer 69 around the peripheryof each vent 72, as described below. Additionally, in this embodiment,each vent 72 has a reinforcement material 75 positioned around the vent72, to add stability and strength to the material and preventbreaking/tearing. In the embodiment illustrated, the reinforcementmaterial 75 is formed of the same material as the leads 18 (e.g. silveror other metallic ink) to facilitate printing, but may also be formed ofthe same material as the sensor contacts 40, 42 (e.g. carbon) or thedielectric material discussed herein.

The vents 72 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-8 open downwardand the air passing through the vents 72 passes downward toward themidsole 131 and toward the foam member 138 if present. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3-4, the foam member 138 has cavities 76 locateddirectly below the vents 72 and configured such that the air exiting thevents passes into the respective cavity 76. Such cavities 76 may beformed as a slot that extends completely or partially through the foammember 138. This configuration allows air to pass out of the vents 72without obstruction from the foam member 138. In the embodiment of FIGS.3-4, each of the cavities 76 has a channel portion 77 extendinglaterally away from the cavity 76 and beyond the peripheral boundary ofthe insert 37. In other words, the channel portion 77 of the cavity 76extends laterally from the vent 72 to a distal end 78 located outsidethe peripheral boundary of the insert 37. It is understood that if thefoam member 138 has a recess 139 to receive the insert member 37, thedistal end 78 of the channel portion 77 of the cavity 76 may also belocated outside the peripheral boundary of the recess 139, as in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 3-4. This configuration permits air passinginto the cavity 76 to exit the sole structure 130 by passing laterallythrough the channel portion 77 and then upward and/or outward away fromthe foam member 138. In another embodiment, the distal end 78 may stopat a point within the foam member 138 and still outside the peripheralboundary of the insert 37, which allows the air to vent upward out ofthe cavity 76 at the distal end 78 and provides the same or similarfunctionality. As stated above, the components of the airflow system 70may be configured different in other embodiments.

Additionally, the foot contacting member 133 includes one or morepassages 79 extending through the foot contacting member 133 located atthe distal end 78 of the cavity 76, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-8. Thepassages 79 may be pinhole-type passages 79 that extend verticallythrough the foot contacting member 133. In another embodiment, adifferent type of passage 79 may be used, including slits or grooves,and at least one passage 79 may extend laterally to a side of the footcontacting member 133, rather than upward through the thickness of thefoot contacting member 133. The passages 79 allow the air exitingthrough the vent 72 and outward through the cavity 76 to pass throughthe foot contacting member 133 and out of the sole structure 130. Inanother embodiment, the foot contacting member 133 may not include anypassage(s) 79. The foot contacting member 133 may still provideventilation in a configuration without any passage(s) 79, such as byusing a breathable foam or other breathable material for constructingthe foot contacting member 133.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-8, as described above, the spacer layer 67generally insulates conductive members/components on the first andsecond layers 66, 68 from each other, except in areas where electricalcontact is desired, such as at the pathway 50 and between the contacts40, 42 of the sensors 16. The spacer layer 67 has holes 38, 43 to defineareas of desired electrical contact between the layers 66, 68. Thecomponents of the airflow system 70, in particular the channels 71 mayprovide a route for shorting or other undesired electrical contact byone or more conductive members between the first and second layers 66,68. In one embodiment, the sensor system 12 may include one or morepatches of dielectric material 80 to resist or prevent undesiredshorting by one or more conductive members across open areas of thespacer layer 67, such as the channels 71. This dielectric material 80may be in the form of an acrylic ink or other UV-curable ink, or anotherinsulating material suitable for the application. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 3-8, the insert 37 has several patches of dielectricmaterial 80 extending across the channel 71, to insulate thedistribution leads 18A located around the sensor contacts 40, 42 fromeach other.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-8, the port 14, the sensors 16, and theleads 18 form a circuit 10 on the insert member 37. The port 14 has aplurality of terminals 11, with four terminals 11 each dedicated to oneof the four sensors 16 individually, one terminal 11 for applying avoltage to the circuit 10, and one terminal 1 for voltage measurement.In this embodiment, the sensor system 12 also includes a pair ofresistors 53, 54, each located on one of the layers 66, 68, and apathway 50 connecting the circuitry on the first layer 66 with thecircuitry on the second layer 68. The resistors 53, 54 provide areference point for the module 22 to measure the resistance of eachsensor 16, and permit the module 22 to convert the variable current fromthe active sensor 16 into a measurable voltage. Additionally, theresistors 53, 54 are arranged in parallel within the circuit 10, whichcompensates for variations in the circuit 10 and/or variations in themanufacturing processes used to create the resistors 53, 54, such asvariations in conductivity of the inks used to print the leads 18 and/orthe sensor contacts 40, 42. In one embodiment, the equivalent resistanceof the two resistors 53, 54 is 1500+/−500 kΩ. In another embodiment, asingle resistor 53, 54 or two resistors 53, 54 in series could be used.In a further embodiment, the resistors 53, 54 may be positionedelsewhere on the insert 37, or may be located within the circuitry ofthe module 22. A more technical depiction of the circuit 10 of thisembodiment is described below and shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 illustrates a circuit 10 that may be used to detect and measurepressure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The circuit10 includes six terminals 104 a-104 f, including a power terminal 104 afor applying a voltage to the circuit 10, a measurement terminal 104 bfor measuring a voltage as described below, and four sensor terminals104 c-104 f, each of which is dedicated to one of the sensors 16 a-16 dindividually, and each of which represents ground in this embodiment.The terminals 104 a-104 f represent the terminals 11 of the port 14. Inthe embodiment shown, fixed resistors 102 a and 102 b, which representresistors 53 and 54, are connected in parallel. Fixed resistors 102 aand 102 b may be physically located on separate layers. The equivalentresistance across terminals 104 a and 104 b is determined by thewell-known equation of:R _(eq) =R _(102a) ·R _(102b)/(R _(102a) +R _(102b))  (Equation 1)

Where:

-   -   R_(102a)=Resistance of fixed resistors 102 a    -   R_(102b)=Resistance of fixed resistors 102 b    -   R_(eq)=Equivalent resistance

Electrically connecting fixed resistors 102 a and 102 b in parallelcompensates for variations in the manufacturing processes used to createfixed resistors 102 a and 102 b. For example, if fixed resistor 102 ahas a resistance that deviates from a desired resistance, the deviationof the equivalent resistance determined by equation 1 is minimized bythe averaging effect of fixed resistor 102 b. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that two fixed resistors are shown for illustrationpurposes only. Additional fixed resistors may be connected in paralleland each fixed resistor may be formed on a different layer.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, fixed resistors 102 a and 102 b areconnected to sensors 16 a-16 d. Sensors 16 a-16 d may be implementedwith variable resistors that change resistance in response to changes inpressure, as described above. Each of sensors 16 a-16 d may beimplemented with multiple variable resistors. In one embodiment, each ofsensors 16 a-16 d is implemented with two variable resistors which arephysically located on different layers and electrically connected inparallel. For example, as described above with respect to oneembodiment, each sensor 16 a-16 d may contain two contacts 40, 42 thatengage each other to a greater degree as applied pressure increases, andthe resistance of the sensor 16 a-16 d may decrease as the engagementincreases. As mentioned above, connecting resistors in parallel createsan equivalent resistance that minimizes deviations created duringmanufacturing processes. In another embodiment, the contacts 40, 42 maybe arranged in series. Sensors 16 a-16 d may be connected to ground viaswitches 108 a-108 d. Switches 108 a-108 d may be closed one at a timeto connect a sensor. In some embodiments, switches 108 a-108 d areimplemented with transistors or integrated circuits.

In operation a voltage level, such as 3 volts, is applied at terminal104 a. Switches 108 a-108 d are closed one at a time to connect one ofsensors 16 a-16 d to ground. When connected to ground, each of sensors16 a-16 d forms a voltage divider with the combination of fixedresistors 102 a and 102 b. For example, when switch 108 a is closed, thevoltage between terminal 104 a and ground is divided between thecombination of fixed resistors 102 a and 102 b and sensor 16 a. Thevoltage measured at terminal 104 b changes as the resistance of sensor16 a changes. As a result, pressure applied to sensor 16 a may bemeasured as a voltage level at terminal 104 b. The resistance of thesensor 16 a is measured utilizing the voltage applied to the sensor 16 ain series with the combined fixed resistors 104 a and 104 b of knownvalue. Similarly, selectively closing switches 108 b-108 d will generatevoltage levels at terminal 104 b that are related to the pressureapplied at sensors 16 b-16 d. It is understood that the connectionsbetween the sensors 16 a-d and the terminals 104 c-f may be different inother embodiments. For example, the sensors 16 a-d are connected todifferent pins of the interface 20 in the left shoe insert 37 ascompared to the right shoe insert 37, as shown in FIG. 8. In anotherembodiment, the voltage level may be applied in the opposite manner,with the ground located at terminal 104 a and the voltage applied atterminals 104 c-f. In further embodiments, another circuit configurationmay be used to achieve a similar result and functionality.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the two resistors 53, 54 have similar oridentical structures in the embodiment illustrated, however it isunderstood that the resistors may have different structures in otherembodiments. Each resistor 53, 54 has two sections 55, 56 spaced fromeach other and a bridge 57 positioned between and connecting thesections 55, 56. In one embodiment, the bridge 57 may be formed of amore resistive material than the sections 55, 56, and may thus providethe majority of the resistance of each resistor 53, 54. The sections 55,56 may be at least partially formed of a high-conductivity material,such as a silver material. In the embodiment illustrated—in FIGS. 3-9,the inner and outer sections 55, 56 are formed of the same material asthe leads 18, such as a printed silver-based or other metallic-basedink. In this embodiment, the bridge 57 is formed of the same material asthe sensor contacts 40, 42, such as carbon black or another conductivecarbon material. It is understood that the inner and outer sections 55,56 and/or the bridge 57 may be formed of different materials in otherembodiments.

The pathway 50 generally permits continuous and/or uninterruptedelectrical communication and passes electronic signals between the firstand second layers 66, 68. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-8, the port 14 isdirectly connected to the second layer 68, and the pathway 50 may serveas a vertical path between the port 14 and the sensor contacts 40 on thefirst layer 66, 68. In this embodiment, the pathway 50 includesconductive portions 51 on the first layer 66 and the second layer 68,such that conductive portions 51 may be in continuous engagement witheach other to provide continuous electrical communication between thefirst and second layers 66, 68. The spacer layer 67 in this embodimentincludes a hole 38 that is aligned with the pathway 50 and allows forcontinuous engagement between the conductive portions 51 through thespacer layer 67. Additionally, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-5, each ofthe conductive portions 51 is divided into two sections 52 that areseparated by an elongated gap 59. The gap 59 may be oriented to increasethe durability of the pathway 50 during flexing of the insert 37, byserving as a flexing point to minimize bending of the conductiveportions 51. The conductive portions 51 of the pathway 50 are formed ofa conductive material, and in one embodiment, the conductive portions 51may be formed of the same material as the leads 18, such as asilver-based ink or other metallic ink. In other embodiments, thepathway 50, and the components thereof described herein, may have adifferent size, shape, form, or location, and may be formed of adifferent material. Additionally, the pathway 50 may be at leastpartially surrounded by or bounded by a stiffening structure 60 in oneembodiment to provide structural support and/or effects, such asassisting with engagement between the conductive portions 51. Asillustrated in FIGS. 3-8, the conductive portions 51 are surrounded by asubstantially annular stiffener 60. The stiffener 60 may be formed ofany material that has suitable stiffness, and in one embodiment, may beformed of a material with greater stiffness than the material of theconductive portions 51, such as carbon black or other carbon-basedmaterial. Further, the hole 38 in the spacer layer 67 permits theconductive portions 51 to engage each other.

The insert 37 may be constructed by depositing the various components ona polymer (e.g. PET) film. In one embodiment, the insert 37 isconstructed by first depositing the conductive metallic material on eachlayer 66, 68, such as by printing in the traced pattern of the leads 18(including the distribution lead 18A, the conductive portions 51 of thepathway 50, the inner and outer sections 55, 56 of the resistors 53, 54,etc. The additional carbon material can then be deposited on each layer66, 68, such as by printing, to form the contacts 40, 42, the stiffener60 of the pathway 50, the bridge 57 of the resistors 53, 54, etc. Anyadditional components can then be deposited, such as any dielectricportions. The layers 66, 68 may be printed on PET sheets and then cutout to form the outer peripheral shape after printing in one embodiment.

The port 14 is configured for communication of data collected by thesensors 16 to an outside source, in one or more known manners. In oneembodiment, the port 14 is a universal communication port, configuredfor communication of data in a universally readable format. In theembodiments shown in FIGS. 3-8 and 14, the port 14 includes an interface20 for connection to an electronic module 22, shown in connection withthe port 14 in FIG. 3. Additionally, in this embodiment, the port 14 isassociated with the housing 24 for insertion of the electronic module22, located in the well 135 in the middle arch or midfoot region of themidsole 131. As illustrated in FIGS. 3-8, the sensor leads 18 convergetogether to form a consolidated interface 20 at their terminals 11, inorder to connect to the port 14. In one embodiment, the consolidatedinterface may include individual connection of the sensor leads 18 tothe port interface 20, such as through a plurality of electricalcontacts. In another embodiment, the sensor leads 18 could beconsolidated to form an external interface, such as a plug-typeinterface or another configuration, and in a further embodiment, thesensor leads 18 may form a non-consolidated interface, with each lead 18having its own separate terminal 11. As also described below, the module22 may have an interface 23 for connection to the port interface 20and/or the sensor leads 18.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-8 and 14, the interface 20 takes theform of electrical contacts or terminals 11. In one embodiment, theterminals 11 are formed on a tongue or extension 21 that extends fromone of the layers 66, 68 into the hole 27 provided for the housing 24.The extension consolidates the ends of the leads 18 to a single area toform the interface 20. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-8 and 14, theextension 21 extends from the second layer 68 into the hole 27, and isbent downward within the housing 24 to place the terminals 11 within thehousing 24 and make the interface 20 accessible within the housing 24.The extension 21 may pass underneath the flange 28 of the housing 24 andthrough a slot or other space underneath the lip 28 in order to extendinto the housing 24. In the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3-8 and14, the extension 21 bends downwardly into the well 135 and into thehousing 24, as discussed above, to place the terminals 11 within thehousing 24 and forming the interface 20 within the housing 24.

The housing 24 may contain connection structure, such as connector pinsor springs for establishing connection between the interface 20 and themodule 22, as shown in FIGS. 14A-B. In one embodiment, the port 14includes an electrical connector 82 forming the interface 20, which mayinclude contacts that individually attach to the terminals 11, asmentioned above. The connector 82 may connect to the extension 21 andthe terminals 11 via a crimping connection. The interface 20 in thisembodiment includes seven terminals: four terminals 11 each individuallyconnected to one of the sensors 16, one terminal 11 serving as themeasurement terminal (104 b in FIG. 9), and one terminal serving as apower terminal (104 a in FIG. 9) to apply a voltage to the circuit 10.As discussed above, the power terminal may instead be configured as aground terminal in another embodiment, with the sensor terminals (104c-f in FIG. 9) being configured as power terminals. The seventh terminalmay be utilized for powering of accessories, such as a uniqueidentification chip. In one embodiment, the sixth and seventh terminals11 are extended on a tail 21A that extends from the end of the extension21. An accessory may be connected across the two terminals 11 on thetail 21A to power the accessory. The accessory may include a smallprinted circuit board (PCB) with a memory chip that are attached viaanisotropic contact formation to the tail 21A. In one embodiment, anaccessory chip may include information uniquely identifying the articleof footwear 100, such as a serial number, as well as substantiveinformation such as whether the footwear 100 is a left or right shoe, amen's or women's shoe, a specific type of shoe (e.g. running, tennis,basketball, etc.), and other types of information. This information maybe read by the module 22 and subsequently used in analysis,presentation, and/or organization of data from the sensors. Theaccessory may be sealed into the housing 24, such as via epoxy or othermaterial.

The port 14 is adapted for connection to a variety of differentelectronic modules 22, which may be as simple as a memory component(e.g., a flash drive) or which may contain more complex features. It isunderstood that the module 22 could be as complex a component as apersonal computer, mobile device, server, etc. The port 14 is configuredfor transmitting data gathered by the sensors 16 to the module 22 forstorage, transmission, and/or processing. In some embodiments, the port14, the sensors 16, and/or other components of the sensor system 12 maybe configured for processing the data. The port 14, sensors 16, and/orother components of the sensor system 12 may additionally or alternatelybe configured for transmission of data directly to an external device110 or a plurality of modules 22 and/or external devices 110. It isunderstood that the port 14, the sensors 16, and/or other components ofthe sensor system 12 may include appropriate hardware, software, etc.,for these purposes. Examples of a housing and electronic modules in afootwear article are illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/416,458, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2007/0260421, which is incorporated by reference herein and made parthereof. Although the port 14 is illustrated with electronic terminals 11forming an interface 20 for connection to a module 22, in otherembodiments, the port 14 may contain one or more additional or alternatecommunication interfaces. For example, the port 14 may contain orcomprise a USB port, a Firewire port, 16-pin port, or other type ofphysical contact-based connection, or may include a wireless orcontactless communication interface, such as an interface for Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, near-field communication, RFID, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee,or other wireless communication technique, or an interface for infraredor other optical communication technique. In another embodiment, thesensor system 12 may include more than one port 14 configured forcommunication with one or more modules 22 or external devices 110. Thisconfiguration may alternately be considered to be a single distributedport 14. For example, each of the sensors 16 may have a separate port 14for communication with one or more electronic modules 22. The ports 14in this embodiment are connected to the sensors 16 by leads 18 and maybe located between the layers of the insert 37, within a hole in theinsert 37, or above or below the insert 37 in various embodiments. It isunderstood that multiple or distributed port(s) 14 may be used, withcombinations of two or more sensors connected to a single port 14. Infurther embodiments, the sensor system 12 may include one or more ports14 having different configurations, which may include a combination oftwo or more configurations described herein.

The module 22 may additionally have one or multiple communicationinterfaces for connecting to an external device 110 to transmit the datafor processing, as described below and shown in FIGS. 5 and 20-21. Suchinterfaces can include any of the contacted or contactless interfacesdescribed above. In one example, the module 22 includes at least aretractable USB connection for connection to a computer and/or forcharging a battery of the module 22. In another example, the module 22may be configured for contacted or contactless connection to a mobiledevice, such as a watch, cell phone, portable music player, etc. Themodule 22 may be configured for wireless communication with the externaldevice 110, which allows the device 22 to remain in the footwear 100.However, in another embodiment, the module 22 may be configured to beremoved from the footwear 100 to be directly connected to the externaldevice 110 for data transfer, such as by the retractable USB connectiondescribed above. FIG. 20 illustrates one embodiment where the module 22is configured for wireless communication with one or more externaldevices 110. Such external devices 110 may also communicate informationreceived from the sensor system 12 with each other, as also shown inFIG. 20.

In a wireless embodiment, the module 22 may be connected to an antenna17 for wireless communication (see FIG. 20). The antenna 17 may beshaped, sized, and positioned for use with the appropriate transmissionfrequency for the selected wireless communication method. Additionally,the antenna 17 may be located internally within the module 22 orexternal to the module. In one example, the sensor system 12 itself(such as the leads 18 and conductive portions of the sensors 16) couldbe used to form an antenna. The module 22 may further be placed,positioned, and/or configured in order to improve antenna reception, andin one embodiment, may use a portion of the user's body as an antenna.In one embodiment, the module 22 may be permanently mounted within thefootwear 100, or alternately may be removable at the option of the userand capable of remaining in the footwear 100 if desired. Additionally,as further explained below, the module 22 may be removed and replacedwith another module 22 programmed and/or configured for gathering and/orutilizing data from the sensors 16 in another manner. If the module 22is permanently mounted within the footwear 100, the sensor system 12 mayfurther contain an external port (not shown) to allow for data transferand/or battery charging, such as a USB or Firewire port. It isunderstood that the module 22 may be configured for both contacted andcontactless communication.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 21, the system 12 may includeno module 22, and instead, the sensors 16 may be in direct wired orwireless communication with the external device 110. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 21, the sensors 16 each have a separate antenna 17 (andmay also include a transmitter or TX/RX 107) that communicates with theexternal device 110. In another embodiment, multiple sensors 16 maycommunicate through a single antenna 17 (and/or single transmitter orTX/RX 107). It is understood that a single device 110 is shown in FIG.21 for simplicity, and that the sensor system 12 may be in direct orindirect communication with several external devices 110.

While the port 14 may be located in a variety of positions withoutdeparting from the invention, in one embodiment, the port 14 is providedat a position and orientation and/or is otherwise structured so as toavoid or minimize contact with and/or irritation of the wearer's foot,e.g., as the wearer steps down in and/or otherwise uses the article offootwear 100, such as during an athletic activity. The positioning ofthe port 14 in FIGS. 3-4 and 14 illustrates one such example. In anotherembodiment, the port 14 is located proximate the heel or instep regionsof the shoe 100. Other features of the footwear structure 100 may helpreduce or avoid contact between the wearer's foot and the port 14 (or anelement connected to the port 14) and improve the overall comfort of thefootwear structure 100. For example, as described above and illustratedin FIGS. 3-4, the foot contacting member 133 may fit over and at leastpartially cover the port 14, thereby providing a layer of paddingbetween the wearer's foot and the port 14. Additional features forreducing contact between the port 14 and the wearer's foot andmodulating any undesired feel of the port 14 at the wearer's foot may beused.

FIGS. 14A-B show further views of one embodiment of the port 14configured to be utilized with the insert member 37. Similar structuresdescribed above will be designated with identical or similar referencenumerals. This embodiment and variations of the embodiment are describedin detail below. As discussed and disclosed herein, the port 14 definesor supports an interface 20 for an operable connection with the module22. The module 22 will also be described in greater detail below.Through the operable connection between the port 14 and the module 22,data sensed by the sensor assembly 12 can be acquired, stored and/orprocessed for further use and analysis.

As further shown in FIGS. 14A-B, the housing 24 in this embodimentincludes a base member 140 and a cover member 142. The base member 140may correspond to the tub 29 as described above that defines the sidewalls 25 and the base wall 26. The cover member 142 has a centralaperture 153 dimensioned to receive the module 22 therethrough. Anunderside of the cover member 142 has a pair of depending posts (notshown) that cooperate with receivers (not shown) on the base member 140as will be described. An outer periphery of the cover member 142 definesthe lip or flange 28. In an exemplary embodiment, the cover member 142may have depending walls that cooperatively define the side walls 25 ofthe housing 24. In such configuration, the base member 140 may define aledge on the side wall to receive the depending walls on the covermember 142.

FIG. 14B further shows components of the interface assembly 156. Theinterface assembly 156 has a carrier 157 that supports the electricalconnectors 82 such as described schematically in reference to FIG. 32.The electrical connectors 82 each have a distal end defining a contactthat is resiliently supported by the carrier 157 that will cooperatewith a corresponding contact on the module 22. As shown in FIG. 14, theinterface assembly 156 is operably connected to the extension 21 havingthe leads 11 thereon of the insert member 37. As further shown in FIG.14B, it is understood that the tail 21A can be further folded over to bepositioned adjacent a back side of the extension 21. As further shown inFIG. 14, the carrier 157 is positioned in a first lateral slot 148 ofthe base member 140 of the housing 24. As can be appreciated from FIG.14B, a filler material 159 (e.g. a potting compound) may be injectedinto a second lateral slot 150 behind the carrier 157. Thisconfiguration places the connectors 82 of the interface 20 exposedwithin the tub 29 for connection to the module 22.

FIGS. 15-16 disclose additional views and features of one embodiment ofthe module 22. As previously discussed, the module 22 is received by andis operably connected to the port 14 to collect, store and/or processdata received from the sensor assembly 12. It is understood that themodule 22 houses various components for such purposes including but notlimited to, printed circuit boards, power supplies, light members,interfaces, and different types of sensors, including multi-axisaccelerometer, gyroscopes and/or magnetometers. The module 22 generallyincludes a housing 170 that supports an interface assembly 171 formingthe interface 23, and having electrical connectors that form contactsfor cooperation with the interface 20 of the port 14. The interfaceassembly 171 has a plurality of connectors 172 and a module carrier 173.The connectors 172 each have distal ends that form contacts thatcollectively define the interface 23 of the module 22. It is understoodthat the connectors 172 may be insert molded such that material isformed around the connectors 172 to define the module carrier 173. Thehousing 170 generally has a module base member 175, which may includemultiple members (e.g., outer and inner members). The housing 170further has a module top member 177, which may also include multiplemembers (e.g., outer and inner top members). The module base member 175,the module top member 177, and interface assembly 171 cooperate toprovide a sealed configuration around the connectors 172. The connectors172 may be considered to have an over-molded configuration in thisembodiment. These components also form an inner cavity wherein thehousing 170 supports internal components including a printed circuitboard 180 that is operably connected to the connectors 172.

It is understood that the module 22 is received in the port 14. A frontend of the module 22 is inserted through the central aperture 153 andinto the first section 144. The module 22 is dimensioned to generallycorrespond in size to the tub 29 in an interference fit. In suchconfiguration, the interface 23 on the module 22 is operably engagedwith the interface 20 on the port 14 wherein the respective contacts ofthe interfaces 20, 23 are in surface-to-surface contact. Thus, theconstruction is such that the interface 23 of the module 22 is forcedagainst the interface 20 of the port 14. The module 22 may have a recess184 on a rear surface that receives the projection 151 of the housing 24to assist in retaining the module 22 in the port 14 through a snapconnection. A user can easily remove the module 22 from the port byaccessing the module 22 with the assistance of a finger recess 29A.Thus, the modules 22 can easily be inserted into the port 14 and removedfrom the port 14 when necessary such as for charging or transferringdata, or when replacing one type of module 22 for one application with adifferent type of module for a different application, or replacing apower drained module 22 with a freshly charged module 22.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an example electronic module 22including data transmission/reception capabilities through a datatransmission/reception system 107, which may be used in accordance withat least some examples of this invention. While the example structuresof FIG. 5 illustrate the data transmission/reception system (TX-RX) 107as integrated into the electronic module structure 22, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that a separate component may be included aspart of a footwear structure 100 or other structure for datatransmission/reception purposes and/or that the datatransmission/reception system 107 need not be entirely contained in asingle housing or a single package in all examples of the invention.Rather, if desired, various components or elements of the datatransmission/reception system 107 may be separate from one another, indifferent housings, on different boards, and/or separately engaged withthe article of footwear 100 or other device in a variety of differentmanners without departing from this invention. Various examples ofdifferent potential mounting structures are described in more detailbelow.

In the example of FIG. 5, the electronic component 22 may include a datatransmission/reception element 107 for transmitting data to and/orreceiving data from one or more remote systems. In one embodiment, thetransmission/reception element 107 is configured for communicationthrough the port 14, such as by the contacted or contactless interfacesdescribed above. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the module 22includes an interface 23 configured for connection to the port 14 and/orsensors 16. In the module 22 illustrated in FIG. 5, the interface 23 hascontacts that are complementary with the terminals 11 of the interface20 of the port 14, to connect with the port 14. In other embodiments, asdescribed above, the port 14 and the module 22 may contain differenttypes of interfaces 20, 23, which may be contacted or wireless. It isunderstood that in some embodiments, the module 22 may interface withthe port 14 and/or sensors 16 through the TX-RX element 107.Accordingly, in one embodiment, the module 22 may be external to thefootwear 100, and the port 14 may comprise a wireless transmitterinterface for communication with the module 22. The electronic component22 of this example further includes a processing system 202 (e.g., oneor more microprocessors), a memory system 204, and a power supply 206(e.g., a battery or other power source). In one embodiment, the powersupply 206 may be configured for inductive charging, such as byincluding a coil or other inductive member. In this configuration, themodule 22 may be charged by placing the article of footwear 100 on aninductive pad or other inductive charger, allowing charging withoutremoval of the module 22 from the port 14. In another embodiment, thepower supply 206 may additionally or alternately be configured forcharging using energy-harvesting technology, and may include a devicefor energy harvesting, such as a charger that charges the power supply206 through absorption of kinetic energy due to movement of the user.

Connection to the one or more sensors can be accomplished as shown inFIG. 5, but additional sensors (not shown) may be provided to sense orprovide data or information relating to a wide variety of differenttypes of parameters, such as physical or physiological data associatedwith use of the article of footwear 100 or the user, including pedometertype speed and/or distance information, other speed and/or distance datasensor information, temperature, altitude, barometric pressure,humidity, GPS data, accelerometer output or data, heart rate, pulserate, blood pressure, body temperature, EKG data, EEG data, sweatdetection, data regarding angular orientation and changes in angularorientation (such as a gyroscope-based sensor), etc., and this data maybe stored in memory 204 and/or made available, for example, fortransmission by the transmission/reception system 107 to some remotelocation or system. The additional sensor(s), if present, may alsoinclude an accelerometer (e.g., for sensing direction changes duringsteps, such as for pedometer type speed and/or distance information, forsensing jump height, etc.). In one embodiment, the module 22 may includean additional sensor 208, such as an accelerometer, and the data fromthe sensors 16 may be integrated with the data from the accelerometer208, such as by the module 22 or the external device 110.

In one embodiment, the sensor system 12, the external device 110, orboth may contain a GPS device or sensor 209, which may include a GPSantenna and other necessary hardware. Since the sensor system 12 istypically always with the user during use, a GPS device connected to thesensor system 12 may be used to sense the user's position when in use.In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the GPS device 209 is shown to be containedwithin the module 22, but it is understood that the GPS device 209 maybe external to the module 22 and may be in communication with the module22 in another embodiment. The external device 110 may additionally oralternately include a GPS device 209, which may enable positionalsensing when used in connection with a sensor system 12 as shown in FIG.21, which contains no electronic module 22. It is understood that thememory 204, 304 and the processing system 202, 302 of the module 22and/or the external device 110 may include and be configured forprocessing software for use with the GPS device 209. Operation of theGPS device 209 and its uses in connection with the system 400 and method500 for analyzing athletic activity are described in greater detailbelow.

As additional examples, electronic modules, systems, and methods of thevarious types described above may be used for providing automatic impactattenuation control for articles of footwear. Such systems and methodsmay operate, for example, like those described in U.S. Pat. No.6,430,843, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0009913, andU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0177531, which describesystems and methods for actively and/or dynamically controlling theimpact attenuation characteristics of articles of footwear (U.S. Pat.No. 6,430,843, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0009913, andU.S. patent application Publication No. 2004/0177531 are each entirelyincorporated herein by reference and made part hereof). When used forproviding speed and/or distance type information, sensing units,algorithms, and/or systems of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,724,265, 5,955,667, 6,018,705, 6,052,654, 6,876,947 and 6,882,955 maybe used. These patents each are entirely incorporated herein byreference. Additional embodiments of sensors and sensor systems, as wellas articles of footwear and sole structures and members utilizing thesame, are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/483,824,published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0063778; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/483,828, published as U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2010/0063779; and U.S. patent applicationSer. Nos. 13/399,778 and 13/399,935, all of which applications areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties and made parthereof.

The electronic module 22 can also include an activation system (notshown). The activation system or portions thereof may be engaged withthe module 22 or with the article of footwear 100 (or other device)together with or separate from other portions of the electronic module22. The activation system may be used for selectively activating theelectronic module 22 and/or at least some functions of the electronicmodule 22 (e.g., data transmission/reception functions, etc.). A widevariety of different activation systems may be used without departingfrom this invention. In any such embodiments, the sensor system 12 maycontain a “sleep” mode, which can deactivate the system 12 after a setperiod of inactivity. In an alternate embodiment, the sensor system 12may operate as a low-power device that does not activate or deactivate.

The module 22 may further be configured for communication with anexternal device 110, which may be an external computer or computersystem, mobile device, gaming system, or other type of electronicdevice, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10-12. The exemplary external device 110shown in FIG. 5 includes a processor 302, a memory 304, a power supply306, a display 308, a user input 310, and a data transmission/receptionsystem 108. The transmission/reception system 108 is configured forcommunication with the module 22 via the transmission/reception system107 of the module 22, through any type of known electroniccommunication, including the contacted and contactless communicationmethods described above and elsewhere herein. It is understood that themodule 22 and/or the port 14 can be configured for communication with aplurality of external devices, including a wide variety of differenttypes and configurations of electronic devices, and also includingintermediate devices that function to pass information on to anotherexternal device and may or may not further process such data.Additionally, the transmission/reception system 107 of the module 22 maybe configured for a plurality of different types of electroniccommunication. It is further understood that the shoe 100 may include aseparate power source to operate the sensors 16 if necessary, such as abattery, piezoelectric, solar power supplies, or others. In theembodiment of FIGS. 3-8, the sensors 16 receive power through connectionto the module 22.

As described below, such sensor assemblies can be customized for usewith specific software for the electronic module 22 and/or the externaldevice 110. A third party may provide such software along with a soleinsert having a customized sensor assembly, as a package. The module 22and/or the overall sensor system 12 may cooperate with one or morealgorithms for analysis of the data obtained from the sensors 16,including algorithms stored on and/or executed by the module, theexternal device 110, or another component.

In operation, the sensors 16 gather data according to their function anddesign, and transmit the data to the port 14. The port 14 then allowsthe electronic module 22 to interface with the sensors 16 and collectthe data for later use and/or processing. In one embodiment, the data iscollected, stored, and transmitted in a universally readable format, sothe data is able to be accessed and/or downloaded by a plurality ofusers, with a variety of different applications, for use in a variety ofdifferent purposes. In one example, the data is collected, stored, andtransmitted in XML format. In one embodiment, the module 22 detectspressure changes in the sensors 16 utilizing the circuit 10 as shown inFIG. 9, by measuring the voltage drop at the measurement terminal 104 b,which is reflective of the changes in resistance of the particularsensor 16 that is currently switched. FIG. 13 illustrates one example ofa pressure—resistance curve for a sensor 16, with broken linesillustrating potential shifts of the curve due to factors such asbending of the insert 37. The module 22 may have an activationresistance R_(A), which is the detected resistance necessary for themodule 22 to register the pressure on the sensor. The correspondingpressure to produce such resistance is known as the activation pressureP_(A). The activation resistance R_(A) may be selected to correspond toa specific activation pressure P_(A) at which it is desired for themodule 22 to register data. In one embodiment, the activation pressureP_(A) may be about 0.15 bar, about 0.2 bar, or about 0.25 bar, and thecorresponding activation resistance R_(A) may be about 100 kΩ.Additionally, in one embodiment, the highest sensitivity range may befrom 150-1500 mbar. In one embodiment, the sensor system 12 constructedas shown in FIGS. 3-22B can detect pressures in the range of 0.1-7.0 bar(or about 0.1-7.0 atm), and in another embodiment, the sensor system 12may detect pressures over this range with high sensitivity.

In different embodiments, the sensor system 12 may be configured tocollect different types of data. In one embodiment (described above),the sensor(s) 16 can collect data regarding the number, sequence, and/orfrequency of compressions. For example, the system 12 can record thenumber or frequency of steps, jumps, cuts, kicks, or other compressiveforces incurred while wearing the footwear 100, as well as otherparameters, such as contact time and flight time. Both quantitativesensors and binary on/off type sensors can gather this data. In anotherexample, the system can record the sequence of compressive forcesincurred by the footwear, which can be used for purposes such asdetermining foot pronation or supination, weight transfer, foot strikepatterns, or other such applications. In another embodiment (alsodescribed above), the sensor(s) 16 are able to quantitatively measurethe compressive forces on the adjacent portions of the shoe 100, and thedata consequently can include quantitative compressive force and/orimpact measurement. Relative differences in the forces on differentportions of the shoe 100 can be utilized in determining weightdistribution and “center of pressure” of the shoe 100. The weightdistribution and/or center of pressure can be calculated independentlyfor one or both shoes 100, or can be calculated over both shoestogether, such as to find a center of pressure or center of weightdistribution for a person's entire body. In further embodiments, thesensor(s) 16 may be able to measure rates of changes in compressiveforce, contact time, flight time or time between impacts (such as forjumping or running), and/or other temporally-dependent parameters. It isunderstood that, in any embodiment, the sensors 16 may require a certainthreshold force or impact before registering the force/impact, asdescribed above.

As described above, the data is provided through the universal port 14to the module 22 in a universally readable format in one embodiment, sothat the number of applications, users, and programs that can use thedata is nearly unlimited. Thus, the port 14 and module 22 are configuredand/or programmed as desired by a user, and the port 14 and module 22receive input data from the sensor system 12, which data can be used inany manner desired for different applications. The module 22 may be ableto recognize whether the data received is related to a left or rightshoe, such as through the use of a unique identification chip. Themodule 22 may process the data differently according to the recognitionof L/R shoe, and may also transmit the data to the external device 110with an identification of whether the data is from a L/R shoe. Theexternal device 110 may likewise process or otherwise handle the datadifferently based on the identification of L/R shoe as well. In oneexample, the connections of the sensors 16 to the terminals 11 and theinterface 20 may be different between the left and right inserts 37, asshown in FIG. 12 and discussed above. The data from the left insert 37may be interpreted differently from the data from the right insert 37 inaccordance with this arrangement. The module 22 and/or the electronicdevice 110 may perform similar actions with respect to other identifyinginformation contained on the unique identification chip 92. In manyapplications, the data is further processed by the module 22 and/or theexternal device 110 prior to use. In configurations where the externaldevice 110 further processes the data, the module 22 may transmit thedata to the external device 110. This transmitted data may betransmitted in the same universally-readable format, or may betransmitted in another format, and the module 22 may be configured tochange the format of the data. Additionally, the module 22 can beconfigured and/or programmed to gather, utilize, and/or process datafrom the sensors 16 for one or more specific applications. In oneembodiment, the module 22 is configured for gathering, utilizing, and/orprocessing data for use in a plurality of applications. Examples of suchuses and applications are given below. As used herein, the term“application” refers generally to a particular use, and does notnecessarily refer to use in a computer program application, as that termis used in the computer arts. Nevertheless, a particular application maybe embodied wholly or partially in a computer program application.

Further, in one embodiment, the module 22 can be removed from thefootwear 100 and replaced with a second module 22 configured foroperating differently than the first module 22. For example, thereplacement is accomplished by lifting the foot contacting member 133,disconnecting the first module 22 from the port 14 and removing thefirst module 22 from the housing 24, then inserting the second module 22into the housing 24 and connecting the second module 22 to the port 14,and finally placing the foot contacting member 133 back into position.The second module 22 may be programmed and/or configured differentlythan the first module 22. In one embodiment, the first module 22 may beconfigured for use in one or more specific applications, and the secondmodule 22 may be configured for use in one or more differentapplications. For example, the first module 22 may be configured for usein one or more gaming applications and the second module 22 may beconfigured for use in one or more athletic performance monitoringapplications. Additionally, the modules 22 may be configured for use indifferent applications of the same type. For example, the first module22 may be configured for use in one game or athletic performancemonitoring application, and the second module 22 may be configured foruse in a different game or athletic performance monitoring application.As another example, the modules 22 may be configured for different useswithin the same game or performance monitoring application. In anotherembodiment, the first module 22 may be configured to gather one type ofdata, and the second module 22 may be configured to gather a differenttype of data. Examples of such types of data are described herein,including quantitative force and/or pressure measurement, relative forceand/or pressure measurement (i.e. sensors 16 relative to each other),weight shifting/transfer, impact sequences (such as for foot strikepatterns) rate of force and/or pressure change, etc. In a furtherembodiment, the first module 22 may be configured to utilize or processdata from the sensors 16 in a different manner than the second module22. For example, the modules 22 may be configured to only gather, store,and/or communicate data, or the modules 22 may be configured to furtherprocess the data in some manner, such as organizing the data, changingthe form of the data, performing calculations using the data, etc. Inyet another embodiment, the modules 22 may be configured to communicatedifferently, such as having different communication interfaces or beingconfigured to communicate with different external devices 110. Themodules 22 may function differently in other aspects as well, includingboth structural and functional aspects, such as using different powersources or including additional or different hardware components, suchas additional sensors as described above (e.g. GPS, accelerometer,etc.).

One use contemplated for the data collected by the system 12 is inmeasuring weight transfer, which is important for many athleticactivities, such as a golf swing, a baseball/softball swing, a hockeyswing (ice hockey or field hockey), a tennis swing, throwing/pitching aball, etc. The pressure data collected by the system 12 can givevaluable feedback regarding balance and stability for use in improvingtechnique in any applicable athletic field. It is understood that moreor less expensive and complex sensor systems 12 may be designed, basedon the intended use of the data collected thereby.

The data collected by the system 12 can be used in measurement of avariety of other athletic performance characteristics. The data can beused to measure the degree and/or speed of foot pronation/supination,foot strike patterns, balance, and other such parameters, which can beused to improve technique in running/jogging or other athleticactivities. With regard to pronation/supination, analysis of the datacan also be used as a predictor of pronation/supination. Speed anddistance monitoring can be performed, which may include pedometer-basedmeasurements, such as contact measurement or loft time measurement. Jumpheight can also be measured, such as by using contact or loft timemeasurement. Lateral cutting force can be measured, includingdifferential forces applied to different parts of the shoe 100 duringcutting. The sensors 16 can also be positioned to measure shearingforces, such as a foot slipping laterally within the shoe 100. As oneexample, additional sensors may be incorporated into the sides of theupper 120 of the shoe 100 to sense forces against the sides.

The data, or the measurements derived therefrom, may be useful forathletic training purposes, including improving speed, power, quickness,consistency, technique, etc., as described in greater detail below. Theport 14, module 22, and/or external device 110 can be configured to givethe user active, real-time feedback. For example, a coaching or trainingprogram may be configured to analyze athletic activity and providecoaching and/or other feedback based on such activity, as described inmore detail below. In one example, the port 14 and/or module 22 can beplaced in communication with a computer, mobile device, etc., in orderto convey results in real time. In another example, one or morevibration elements may be included in the shoe 100, which can give auser feedback by vibrating a portion of the shoe to help control motion,such as the features disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,684, which isincorporated herein by reference and made part hereof. Additionally, thedata can be used to compare athletic movements, such as comparing amovement with a user's past movements to show consistency, improvement,or the lack thereof, or comparing a user's movement with the samemovement of another, such as a professional golfer's swing. Further andmore detailed examples are described below.

The system 12 can also be configured for “all day activity” tracking, torecord the various activities a user engages in over the course of aday. The system 12 may include a special algorithm for this purpose,such as in the module 22, the external device 110, and/or the sensors16. The system 12 may also be used for control applications, rather thandata collection and processing applications, such as for use incontrolling an external device 110, e.g., a computer, television, videogame, etc., based on movements by the user detected by the sensors 16.

A single article of footwear 100 containing the sensor system 12 asdescribed herein can be used alone or in combination with a secondarticle of footwear 100′ having its own sensor system 12′, such as apair of shoes 100, 100′ as illustrated in FIGS. 10-12. The sensor system12′ of the second shoe 100′ generally contains one or more sensors 16′connected by sensor leads 18′ to a port 14′ in communication with anelectronic module 22′. The second sensor system 12′ of the second shoe100′ shown in FIGS. 10-12 has the same configuration as the sensorsystem 12 of the first shoe 100. However, in another embodiment, theshoes 100, 100′ may have sensor systems 12, 12′ having differentconfigurations. The two shoes 100, 100′ are both configured forcommunication with the external device 110, and in the embodimentillustrated, each of the shoes 100, 100′ has an electronic module 22,22′ configured for communication with the external device 110. Inanother embodiment, both shoes 100, 100′ may have ports 14, 14′configured for communication with the same electronic module 22. In thisembodiment, at least one shoe 100, 100′ may be configured for wirelesscommunication with the module 22. FIGS. 10-12 illustrate various modesfor communication between the modules 22, 22′.

FIG. 10 illustrates a “mesh” communication mode, where the modules 22,22′ are configured for communicating with each other, and are alsoconfigured for independent communication with the external device 110.FIG. 11 illustrates a “daisy chain” communication mode, where one module22′ communicates with the external device 110 through the other module22. In other words, the second module 22′ is configured to communicatesignals (which may include data) to the first module 22, and the firstmodule 22 is configured to communicate signals from both modules 22, 22′to the external device 110. Likewise, the external device communicateswith the second module 22′ through the first module 22, by sendingsignals to the first module 22, which communicates the signals to thesecond module 22′. In one embodiment, the modules 22, 22′ can alsocommunicate with each other for purposes other than transmitting signalsto and from the external device 110. FIG. 12 illustrates an“independent” communication mode, where each module 22, 22′ isconfigured for independent communication with the external device 110,and the modules 22, 22′ are not configured for communication with eachother. In other embodiments, the sensor systems 12, 12′ may beconfigured for communication with each other and/or with the externaldevice 110 in another manner.

FIGS. 22-23B illustrate additional embodiments of a sensor system 12 foruse with an article of footwear 100 as described above. In oneembodiment, as seen in FIG. 22, a footwear sensor system 12 may beincorporated into an insole member 137 that includes four sensors 116connected to a port 14 by leads 18. The insole member 137 may be a footcontacting member, such as a sockliner, or may be an insole that ispositioned underneath a foot contacting member. In another embodiment,the sensor system 12 as shown in FIG. 22 can be incorporated into adifferent type of sole member. In the embodiment of FIG. 22, the port 14is connected to antenna 17 for transmitting signals from the sensors 16to an external electronic device (not shown) as described herein. Theport 14 may be connected to an electronic module 22 as described above,and the antenna 17 may be a component of the module. In anotherembodiment, no electronic module 22 may be included, and the antenna 17may be a component of the port 14 and configured for direct wirelesscommunication with an external device. It is understood that in anyembodiment, the antenna 17 may be accompanied by sufficient hardware andother components to permit transmission of data to the external device.The sensors 116 in the embodiment of FIG. 22 are positioned similarly tothe sensors of the insert 37 as shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 6-8.

The sensors 116 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22 may beconfigured differently from the sensors 16 of the embodiment in FIGS.3-4 and 6-8 as identified above. For example, in the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the sensors 116 may include contacts40, 42 that are simple carbon contacts within a cavity 41 in a sealedflexible membrane. The sensors 116 using contacts 40, 42 as in FIGS. 23Aand 23B may be configured to dynamically sense changes in forcesimilarly to the sensors 16 of FIGS. 3-4 and 6-8 described above, or mayfunction as binary on/off sensors in another embodiment. In theembodiment of FIG. 23A, the body of the insole member 137 may form thesealed flexible membrane that encloses the sensors 116, with the leads18 running from the contacts 40, 42 through the insole member 137 to theport 14. In the embodiment of FIG. 23B, the insole member 137 mayinclude a first flexible member 137A that encloses the cavities 41containing the sensors 116 therein, and a second flexible member 137Bconnected to the first flexible member 137A. The leads 18 are shown asextending through the first flexible member 137A from the contacts 40,42 to the port 14, however the leads 18 may extend through at least aportion of the second flexible member 137B in another embodiment. In theembodiment of FIG. 23B, the first and second flexible members 137A, 137Bmay be made from different materials with different properties. Forexample, the first flexible member 137A may be made from a flexible,durable, and/or waterproof material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU), silicone, or other polymer material. The second flexible member137B may be made from a cushioning material, such as a foam materialcommonly used in insoles and sockliners.

Embodiments of the system and method for analyzing athletic activity mayalso be used with a different article of apparel and/or anotherapparatus for sensing motion. For example, a sensor system for anarticle of footwear may include sensors such as a 3-axis accelerometer,a 3-axis gyroscope sensor, and/or a compass, which may sensebiomechanical movement of the user's foot without the use ofpressure/force sensors. It is understood that all of these sensors maybe incorporated into a single electronic module in one embodiment, suchas the module 22 described above. Additionally, sensor systems for otherarticles of apparel may utilize a similar module (i.e. havingaccelerometer, gyroscope, and/or compass sensors) for detecting adifferent type of biomechanical movement.

As another example, a shirt 90 or a legwear article 91 may be providedwith a sensor system 12 for sensing force, movement, and/or otherbiomechanical parameter, as shown in FIGS. 17-19. The shirt 90 andlegwear 91 in these embodiments include sensors 93 at joint areas thatare in communication with a port 94 via a plurality of leads 95. Amodule 22, which may be provided according to other embodimentsdescribed herein, may be connected to the port 94 to collect data fromthe sensors 93 reflecting a biomechanical parameter. In one embodiment,the sensors 93 and leads 95 may be formed of a flexible polymer materialwith a conductive particulate material dispersed therein. The leads 95may have a high density of the conductive material to minimizevariations in conductivity, and the sensors 93 may have a lower densityof the conductive material, so that compression and/or other deformationof the sensors 93 may change the conductivity/resistivity of thesensors. This change in conductivity/resistivity may be used to indicateforce and/or movement at the sensors 93, similar to the footwear sensorsystem 12 described above. The module 22 may collect such data andcommunicate it to an external device 110, as similarly described above.It is understood that the module 22 may be configured specifically foruse in collecting data from the sensors 93. In these embodiments, thesystem 400 may be used to provide coaching and/or other feedback to auser to assist the user in developing a specific biomechanical movementpattern, such as for use in an athletic activity. Examples of suchbiomechanical movement patterns include a throwing motion, a basketballshooting motion, a jumping form for hurdling or high-jump competition, aswinging motion (e.g. golf, baseball, hockey, tennis), a dancing motion,etc. It is also understood that sensor systems 12 as described abovewith respect to the footwear 10, shirt 90, and legwear 91 may be used inconnection with other articles of apparel or other apparatuses connectedto other parts of the body. It is also understood that any such sensorsystems may include sensors 16, 93 of the either or both of the typesdescribed above, in addition to or in combination with further types ofsensors. In further embodiments, the system 400 and method 500 may beused in connection with other sensor systems or apparatuses for sensingmotion, including sensor systems incorporated into other articles ofapparel.

Example embodiments of a system 400 for analyzing athletic activity areshown in FIGS. 20 and 21, and include at least sensor system 12configured to sense a biomechanical parameter of a user while the useris in biomechanical motion, as well as at least one electronic device110 in communication with the sensor system 12 so that the electronicdevice 110 can receive data gathered by the sensor system 12. Theelectronic device 110 is configured for analyzing the data to determinewhether a deviation from a desired biomechanical movement pattern existsin the biomechanical movement of the user, and may generate anindication to the user when deviation from the desired biomechanicalmovement pattern is determined to exist. Deviation may be determined byusing a biomechanical movement template, in one embodiment, as describedin greater detail below. Such templates may be stored in the memory 304of the electronic device 110. In this embodiment, the electronic device110 can compare the data received from the sensor system 12 to abiomechanical movement template corresponding to the desiredbiomechanical movement pattern to determine any deviation from thetemplate. Deviation from the template may indicate deviation from thebiomechanical movement pattern. It is understood that the determinationof “deviation” may include threshold variations, where the data is notconsidered to deviate from the template unless the threshold isexceeded.

Movement templates may be obtained in a variety of ways. As one example,a template may be included in software applications stored in the memory304 of the electronic device 110 and/or obtained from other tangiblestorage media. As another example, a template may be accessed bycommunication with another electronic device 110 (including from theelectronic module 22), such as a download over the internet or othernetwork. As a further example, a template may be created by the user, byeither selecting a desired movement pattern or recording an actualmovement pattern of the user or another person. It is understood thatany such templates may be stored in the memory 304.

Examples of biomechanical movement templates that may be used inconnection with embodiments of the system 400 and method 500 includevarious footstrike and other running templates, such as templates forfootstrike pattern, footstrike load or force, gait speed, stride length,footstrike contact time, speed, distance, footstrike cadence,pronation/supination, stride force, upper body movement, lean,asymmetry, posture, and others. Data gathered by a sensor system 12incorporated within an article of footwear 100, such as shown in FIGS.3-4 and 6-8 or in FIGS. 22-23B, may be compared with one or more ofthese templates. Additional examples of biomechanical movement templatesthat may be used in connection with embodiments of the system 400 andmethod 500 include templates for: running form, throwing form (which maybe tailored to a specific activity such as baseball, football, softball,cricket, etc.), basketball shooting form, swing form (which may betailored to a specific activity such as baseball, golf, tennis, hockey,etc.), kicking form (e.g. for soccer or football), ice skating or rollerskating form, jumping form, climbing form, weightlifting or otherstationary exercise form, posture, and many other templatescorresponding to many other biomechanical movement patterns. A sensorsystem 12 as shown in FIGS. 17-19 and/or another type of sensor systemmay additionally or alternately be used in connection with at least someof these templates. Templates may be created based on a number ofdifferent subjects, including a preferred or “proper” biomechanicalmovement pattern (such as with input of coaches, trainers, sportsmedicine professionals, etc.), a past biomechanical movement pattern ofthe user, a biomechanical movement pattern of a famous athlete or otherfamous person, etc.

In one embodiment, a plurality of templates may be available for asingle activity and/or for different activities. For example, multipledifferent types of templates may be available for use for a singleactivity, such as a footstrike pattern template, a footstrike loadtemplate, and other templates for use in a running activity. Multipletemplates may be used by the device 110 simultaneously for analyzingmultiple different biomechanical movement patterns in a single activity,in one embodiment. As another example, multiple different templates ofthe same type may be available for use, such as heel-strike,midfoot-strike, and forefoot-strike footstrike pattern templates.Further, the template(s) used in connection with an activity may bemanually selected by the user or another person, automatically selectedby the processor 302, or a combination of such techniques. For example,a user or another person may manually select a specific footstrikepattern template or a specific throwing form template to coach the userto a specific footstrike pattern or throwing motion. As another example,the user may select a specific activity, and the device 110 mayautomatically select a template based on the desired activity, such asselecting a different footstrike pattern template for sprinting vs.distance running vs. football playing. It is understood that theautomatic selection may incorporate input from the user, such as pastperformance data, answers to posed questions, etc. As a further example,a manually or automatically selected template may be further revised(either manually or automatically) based on characteristics of the user,such as height, weight, age, BMI, past performance, etc. Other methodsfor selection of templates may be used as well.

In one embodiment, biomechanical movement templates may vary fordifferent users. Different users may utilize different templates, andthe content of similar templates may vary depending on thecharacteristics (e.g. height, weight, age, BMI, fitness, etc.) of anindividual user. A device 110 utilizing the templates may provide foruser identification in one embodiment, such as through a user name,passcode, biometric ID, etc., and may store templates customized foreach identified user. In another embodiment, a device 110 utilizing thetemplates may also provide for automatic selection of templates based onuser characteristics, without specifically identifying the user.

FIG. 24 illustrates one example embodiment of a method 500 for analyzingathletic activity that may be used with a system 400 such as shown inFIGS. 20-21 or another type of system 400 for analyzing athleticactivity as described herein. It is understood that the embodiment ofthe method 500 in FIG. 24 is illustrated with respect to the actions ofan electronic device 110 (or devices) that are in communication with asensor system 12 as described above, and that other actions may beperformed by other components, such as the module 22 of the sensorsystem. For example, prior to the device 110 receiving data from thesensor system 12, in one embodiment the module 22 gathers data sensed bythe sensors 16 and transmits the data to the device 110. The module 22may optionally perform some processing of the data prior totransmission. Additionally, actions performed by the device 110 and/orthe module 22 may involve the processors 202, 302, memories 204, 304,and/or other components of such devices.

At step 510 in the method 500 as illustrated in FIG. 24, the device 110receives data from the sensor system 12, which may be transmitted by themodule 22 or in another manner. In one embodiment, the device 110receives data from the sensor system 12 in real time, in a substantiallycontinuous manner, which may be accomplished by periodic transmission ofindividual data units or packets of data in various embodiments. Inother embodiments, the device 110 may receive collected past dataincrementally or in a single transmission. In a further embodiment, thedevice 110 may receive data from a plurality of different sensorsystems.

The device 110 then analyzes the data to determine whether a deviationfrom a desired biomechanical movement pattern exists in thebiomechanical motion of the user. In the embodiment of FIG. 24, thedevice 110 determines whether a deviation exists by comparing the datato one or more templates that have been selected, at step 520, anddetermining whether a match exists between the data and the template, atstep 530. Many different types of criteria may be used in determiningwhether a match or deviation exists, in various embodiments.Additionally, as described above, various predetermined thresholds maybe used in determining deviation, whereby deviation is not determined toexist unless the degree of deviation exceeds a particular threshold.FIGS. 25-28 illustrate graphical depictions of comparisons betweenmeasured data and one or more templates, and these depictions arediscussed in greater detail below.

After determining whether a deviation exists, the method 500 eitherends, or the device 110 continues analyzing additional data receivedfrom the sensor system 12, at step 510. If no deviation is detected, thedevice 110 may optionally generate an indication of success to the userin one embodiment, at step 540. Such indications of success may take oneor more different forms, including any forms described herein withrespect to indications of deviation. If a deviation is detected, thenthe device 110 generates an indication of the deviation to the user, at550. Such an indication may be in one or more different forms, includingvisual, tactile, audible, and other indication. For example, a visualindication may be provided on a display of the device, where theindication may be displayed as text, graphics, color (e.g. green forsuccess or red for deviation), or other visual display. A visualindication may also be provided by a blinking light or other component.As another example, a tactile indication may be provided by a vibrationmotor or other vibration device associated with the device 110.Different vibration patterns, intensities, frequencies, etc. may be usedto indicate differing results (success vs. failure). As a furtherexample, an audible indication may be provided by a speaker or otheraudio device associated with the device 110. An audible indication maytake the form of spoken words, beeps, sirens, bells, and other soundsthat may be understood to indicate success or failure. Further differenttypes of indications may be generated, and it is understood that thetype(s) of indication provided may depend on the capabilities of thedevice. Combinations of indications can also be utilized. The indicationmay additionally or alternately be generated by transmitting a signal toanother device to cause the other device to produce an indication asdescribed above. Additionally, the indications of success and/or failuremay be indicated to the user in real time, or may be indicated at alater time, such as after the activity is completed.

In one embodiment, the user may be provided the option to select one ormore different types of indications to be generated, and may selectdifferent “good” and “bad” indicators. In another embodiment, the device110 may provide the ability for the user to select a “tone” of theindication. For example, the device 110 may provide the ability for auser to select a “coach” mode where indications of success or failureare more authoritative and demanding, a “buddy” mode where suchindications are more supportive and encouraging, a “competitor” modewhere such indications are more competitive in nature, a mode where afanciful or comical character provides such indications in anentertaining or amusing manner, and the like. Such indication modes maybe accompanied by an avatar displayed by the device 110 to appear to bespeaking to the user. The user may further be provided the ability toselect and/or design avatars utilized by the device 110, includingvisual appearance, sound, personality, etc.

The device 110 may provide more information in the indication, inaddition to information on whether the user's movement deviated from thetemplate. An indication of deviation as described above may also includean indication of the degree of deviation in one embodiment. For example,on a device 110 with a visual display 308, a degree of deviation may beindicated by a numerical value, a graphical depiction (e.g. FIGS.25-28), a display of different colors, shades, intensities, and othersuch visual indications or combinations of the same to indicate greateror lesser deviation. As another example, on a device 110 with an audiooutput, sounds may be emitted that vary in pitch, volume, rhythm, etc.,and other such audible indications or combinations of the same, toindicate greater or lesser deviation. As a further example, on a device110 with tactile output (e.g. a vibration motor), different tactilesensations may be generated to indicate greater or lesser deviation,such as vibrations of different intensities, rhythms, etc., and othersuch tactile indications or combinations of the same. The device 110 maybe further provided with additional performance monitoring applicationsto allow the user to monitor his/her performance metrics dynamicallyduring an activity and/or retroactively after the completion of anactivity.

A device 110 as described herein may include one or more applications orother software to provide coaching information to a user, which mayutilize one or more different types of templates as described herein.Templates may be included within the software and/or may be obtainedfrom outside sources, such as by customized creation, download fromexternal devices and/or storage media, etc. Such software may beconfigured specifically for a single activity, biomechanical movementpattern, or type of sensor system, or may be used in connection withmultiple activities, multiple biomechanical movement patterns, and/ormultiple different types of sensor systems. In one embodiment, thesoftware may be able to incorporate multiple templates for a singleactivity, utilizing data input from one or multiple types of sensorsystems. Additionally, such software may incorporate user data, such asheight, weight, gender, BMI, actual recorded movement data, etc., anddata of these types may be manually entered, downloaded from a separatestorage media, collected from measurements by a sensor system 12, and/orobtained through other means. Further, such software may provide forvarious degrees of user control and interaction. For example, a user maybe able to select a specific activity and a specific type or types ofcoaching input for the software to provide. As another example, a useror another person (e.g. a coach, trainer, therapist, medicalprofessional, etc.) may be able to specifically design or create atemplate or modify an existing template.

A device 110 provided with such software may display real-time resultsof the activity, such as real-time biometric movement data, real-timeindications of compliance and/or deviation from a desired template,real-time information from other users (e.g. other participants in acompetition or activity group, social networking contacts, etc.), andother types of real-time activity. It is understood that real-timeresults may be more effectively presented in connection with a compactmobile device 110, which the user may carry/wear during the activity. Adevice 110 provided with such software may additionally or alternatelyprovide collected past information, such as by providing an activitysummary with data and/or analysis of the activity. For example, thesoftware may generate a post-activity summary, which may includeperformance data, success in complying with a desired template,comparison to other users or to the user's past performance, etc., whichmay be presented in various forms.

In one embodiment, the device 110 and/or associated software may providegradual coaching feedback to incrementally guide a user to a desiredbiomechanical movement pattern. Gradual or incremental coaching may beuseful or even necessary in some circumstances, as rapid changes inbiomechanical movement patterns can increase risk of injury. One way ofaccomplishing gradual or incremental coaching by the device 110 alteringthe biomechanical movement template to return to a more familiar ornormal template for the user after a designated amount of usage, such asa designated amount of time, repetitions, travel distance, etc. Forexample, a predominately heel-striking runner may wish to graduallychange his/her footstrike pattern to a predominately midfoot or forefootstrike pattern, e.g., over the course of 3-6 months. In one embodiment,gradual conversion can be accomplished by utilizing the desiredfootstrike template for only small portions of a run initially, and thenreturning to the normal (e.g. heel-strike) template and/or ceasingtemplate usage after the designated portion is completed. The templateusage can be gradually increased with successive runs. As one example,the desired footstrike template may be used for about 10% of the lengthof each run initially, and the usage of the desired template mayincrease by 5% each week until 100% usage is reached. It is understoodthat such gradual or incremental coaching may be utilized to assistconversion from any footstrike pattern to any other footstrike pattern,or between different biomechanical movement patterns of other types.

In another embodiment, one or more intermediate templates may be used,which may guide a user to a movement pattern that is part-way betweenthe user's present movement pattern and the ultimate desired movementpattern. As one example, a predominately heel-strike runner trying toconvert to a midfoot or forefoot strike may utilize a footstriketemplate that encourages less of a heel-strike than the runner's currentfootstrike, but not as strong of a midfoot or forefoot strike as theultimate desired movement pattern. FIG. 27 illustrates an intermediatetemplate 606 located between a runner's actual movement data 605 and theultimate desired footstrike template 604, as described below. Multipleintermediate templates may be utilized in some embodiments to moregradually achieve conversion from one biomechanical movement pattern toanother. Intermediate templates may also be subject to gradual use asdescribed above.

It is understood that similar gradual use of templates and/or use ofintermediate templates may be applied to coaching for otherbiomechanical movement patterns, and that in other applications, a moreor less gradual approach may be appropriate. Additionally, the device110 and associated software may include algorithms to automate aspectsof such gradual or incremental coaching. For example, in one embodiment,the device 110 may automatically engage in gradual template usage and/orintermediate template usage, or may have a user selection feature forsuch automatic utilization. In another embodiment, the device 110 mayprovide for specific user selection, such as selection of specificintermediate templates or selection of the rate at which gradualtemplate usage may progress. In a further embodiment, the device 110 mayprovide for specific user design of templates, including intermediatetemplates, and for specific user design of training programs.

FIGS. 25-28 illustrate graphical depictions of various footstrikepattern templates that may be used according to one embodiment, as wellas graphical depictions of comparisons of actual data to such templates.It is understood that FIGS. 25-28 illustrate conceptual graphicaldepictions of processing that may occur by the device 110 in analyzingathletic activity. In one embodiment, the device 110 may generategraphical depictions reflecting current/real-time or past analysis thatmay appear similar to FIGS. 25-28, such as by GUI display, printing, orother means. FIG. 25 illustrates one example of a footstrike template601 (in broken lines) based on maximum pressure or force measured atlocations of the sensors 16 in the sensor systems 12 in FIGS. 3-4 and6-8 and FIGS. 22-23B. Deviation from the template 601 can occur ifexcessive or insufficient pressure or force is exerted on one or more ofthe sensors 16. Hypothetical data 602 collected from an athleticactivity is shown as solid bars in FIG. 25, and threshold tolerances 603are also illustrated. As seen in FIG. 25, the pressure measured at theheel exceeds the desired value in the template 601 and is outside thethreshold tolerance 603, while the pressure measured at the first andfifth metatarsals are less than the desired values and are also outsidethe threshold tolerances 603. Additionally, in this example, thepressure measured at the first phalange is slightly greater than thedesired value of the template 601, but is within the threshold tolerance603. Thus, in this example, the data measured at the heel, firstmetatarsal, and fifth metatarsal would be considered to deviate from thetemplate, and the data measured at the first phalange would be incompliance. This may be read as a footstrike that deviates from thetemplate and constitutes a footstrike that is too heavy at the heel,depending on the rules governing the definition of deviation. In variousembodiments, deviation may be considered to occur based on the number ofsensors that deviate from or comply with the template, the total degreeof deviation from or compliance with the template, or other factors, ora combination of such factors. Furthermore, in one embodiment, thedevice 110 may display a bar graph similar to FIG. 25 (using display308) for each footstrike, with the template (i.e. “ideal” footstrike)shown with dynamically moving “actual data” bars so that a runner canmonitor each footstrike and adjust as desired. In another embodiment,the template 601 may utilize relative footstrike forces measured at eachsensor 16 (e.g. relative to the other sensors 16), rather than anabsolute force measurement, which may compensate for inaccuraterecordation of user weight.

FIGS. 26-27 illustrate additional examples of footstrike templates 604(broken lines), based on both measured pressure and timing/sequence ofimpacts, measured at locations of the sensors 16 in the sensor systems12 in FIGS. 3-4 and 6-8 and FIGS. 22-23B. Deviation from the templatecan occur if excessive or insufficient pressure or force is exerted onone or more of the sensors 16 and/or if the sequence of impacts and/orcontact time at each of the sensors 16 differs from the desired sequenceor timing. Hypothetical data 605 collected from an athletic activity isshown as solid lines in FIGS. 26-27. It is understood that thresholdtolerances for pressure and/or timing may be used in these embodiments,but are not illustrated. As seen in FIG. 26, the pressure measured atthe heel exceeds the desired value in the template and occurs atapproximately the same timing, but with a larger contact interval. Inthis same example, the pressure measured at the first and fifthmetatarsals is slightly smaller than the desired value in the template604 and has approximately the same contact interval, but occurs at alater timing than the template 604. Further, in this example, thepressure measured at the first phalange is approximately the same as thedesired value in the template 604 and has approximately the same contactinterval, but occurs at a later timing than the template 604. Dependingon the rules governing the definition of deviation, this footstrike maybe considered to be too heel-heavy and may constitute a deviation fromthe template 604. FIG. 27 illustrates the same data 605 and template 604as FIG. 26, and also illustrates an intermediate template 606 (dot-dashlines) that can be used in gradually coaching a user's performancetoward the ultimate goal template 604, as described above.

FIG. 28 illustrates a further example of a footstrike template 607(broken lines), based on timing/sequence of impacts, measured atlocations of the sensors 16 in the sensor systems 12 in FIGS. 3-4 and6-8 and FIGS. 22-23B. In this embodiment, the data from the sensors 16is not dynamic in nature, and consists only of binary “active” and“inactive” data. In other words, the sensors 16 in this embodiment onlydetect force and do not quantitatively measure force, and when a certainthreshold pressure has been applied to the sensor 16, the system 12 willread that the sensor is “active.” This functioning may be based on theconfiguration of the module 22 and/or the capabilities of the sensors16, in various embodiments. Deviation from the template can occur if thesequence of impacts and/or the contact time at each of the sensors 16differs from the desired sequence or timing. It is understood thatthreshold tolerances for timing may be used in these embodiments, butare not illustrated. Hypothetical data 608 collected from an athleticactivity is shown as solid lines in FIG. 28. As seen in FIG. 28, thecontact time measured at the heel is greater than that of the template,and the activation of the other three sensors 16 is later than specifiedby the template. Depending on the rules governing the definition ofdeviation, this footstrike may be considered to be too heel-focused andmay constitute a deviation from the template 607.

FIG. 29 illustrates another embodiment of a potential graphical displaythat may be generated by the device 110 to indicate deviation (or lackthereof) based on real-time analysis of data. In FIG. 29, the device 110may have a display 308 that depicts one or both of the user's feet usingfoot graphics 309. In this embodiment, different colors or intensitiescan be used to depict localized force or impact of each footstrike.Additionally, different colors or intensities can be used to depictwhether localized force or impact is higher or lower than dictated bythe template. In this way, the foot graphics 309 may provide anindication to the user indicating deviation or compliance with thetemplate. It is understood that the “higher” or “lower” impact valuesmay be absolute values in one embodiment, which may depend on the weightof the user, or may be relative values in another embodiment, e.g. therelative force on the heel vs. the midfoot. Different types of graphicaldisplays may be used for different types of sensor systems, such asgraphical displays of actual biometric motions for throwing, running,jumping, etc., vs template movement patterns.

In one embodiment, the module 22 and/or the electronic device 110 mayinclude a GPS module 209 that is configured to detect the position ofthe user, as described above. Additionally, in one embodiment, thedevice 110 may include a mapping application or other such software thatmay work in conjunction with the data from the GPS module 209. Suchsoftware may also work in connection with environmental information,terrain information, and other information related to the user'sposition. “Environmental information,” as used herein, includesinformation about the environment around the user's position, such asarchitectural or historical landmarks, businesses, parks, monuments,museums, recreational areas and activities, and other points ofinterest. “Terrain information,” as used herein, includes informationabout the terrain at the user's position, such as elevation, grade,ground conditions (e.g. rocks, dirt, grass, thick or tall weeds, runningor standing water, pavement, swampland, wet or snow-covered ground,indoors, etc.), and other information about the terrain. In oneembodiment, environmental information and terrain information may beobtained by communication with an external server or other device, andmay involve the device 110 transmitting the user's position to anexternal server and receiving information from the external server basedon the position information. In other embodiments, at least someenvironmental and/or terrain information may additionally or alternatelybe included within the software or may be obtained fromcomputer-readable storage media connected to the device 110. In afurther embodiment, the device 110 may be configured to provideinformation of upcoming environmental features or terrain changes, basedon the user's path.

In one embodiment, the device 110 may include software that generatescustomized travel routes based on position information received from theGPS module 209, in combination with environmental information and/orterrain information. Information about the user's position can beutilized to provide a running path for the user that passes by orthrough areas that may be of interest to the user. Input from the usermay also be utilized, such as input regarding environmental and/orterrain preferences, as well as a specific distance, pace, run time, orother athletic input. For example, in one embodiment, the device 110 maybe used to generate a five kilometer running or biking path that passesby notable architectural landmarks. Such landmarks may be specificallyidentified by the user and/or may be identified automatically by thedevice 110. Automatic identification may be performed using an input ofthe user's general preference for architectural landmarks, or suchlandmarks may be identified based on other information. Multiple suchpreferences may be combined into a single run. In another embodiment,the device 110 may be used to generate a five-kilometer path that passesover certain terrain, such as inclines or declines, certain types ofground, etc. Again, multiple such preferences may be combined into asingle run. In a further embodiment, the method may be utilized togenerate a path that incorporates both desired environmentalcharacteristics and desired terrain characteristics. The device 110 mayalso be configured to modify existing travel routes based on the sametypes of information.

In one embodiment, the device 110 may include software that modifies oralters biomechanical movement template usage based on environmentalinformation and/or terrain information. For example, a runner may wishto utilize one footstrike pattern, stride length, lean, etc., for oneterrain and a different footstrike pattern, stride length, lean, etc.,for another terrain. Such environmental or terrain information may bereceived from user input in one embodiment, or may be obtained fromanother source automatically, based on position information receivedfrom the GPS module 209, in combination with environmental informationand/or terrain information. Other input from the user may also beutilized, such as input regarding template preferences for specifictypes of terrain, as well as a specific distance, pace, run time, orother athletic input. Pre-existing rules may be set to govern whichterrains are associated with which templates, and such rules may be setby the user and/or automatically assigned. In one embodiment, a user maymanually indicate terrain information to the device 110 (e.g. byselection from a list), and the device 110 can automatically switch to adifferent template based on such terrain information, if necessary. Inanother embodiment, terrain information may be automatically obtained,based on position information, such as by communication with an externaldevice as described above. The device may modify the biomechanicalmovement template based on the terrain information, as described below,which may include changing the template and/or switching to a differenttemplate.

FIG. 30 illustrates one embodiment of a method 700 for providing atemplate for use as described above, which incorporates terraininformation acquired based on the user's position detected by the GPSmodule 209. It is understood that the device 110 and/or certaincomponents within the device 110 (e.g. processor 302 and/or memory 304)may be used in performing this method 700. The device 110 receivesposition information for the user from the GPS 209, at step 710. Thedevice 110 may then generate an indication of the user's position in oneembodiment, such as on a map graphic on the display 308, at step 720.The user's position need not be indicated, and may be optional inanother embodiment. The device 110 then acquires terrain informationbased on the user's position, at step 730. As described above, theterrain information may be acquired from information stored in thememory 304 or other storage media connected to the device 110, from anexternal server or other device 110, or a combination of such means. Thedevice 110 may continuously update terrain information as the positioninformation changes, and if no change in terrain is detected, at step740, then the process repeats by receiving more position information (at710) and proceeding as described above. If a different terrain isdetected, at step 740, then the device 110 determines whether adifferent biomechanical movement template is required, at step 750. If adifferent template is not required, then the process repeats byreceiving more position information (at 710) and proceeding as describedabove. If a different template is required, then the device 110 altersthe template based on the different terrain, at step 760. In oneembodiment, the altering is performed automatically by the device 110based on pre-existing rules. In such a configuration, the fact that thetemplate has been altered may be indicated to the user in oneembodiment, and the indication may be done visually, audibly, and/ortactilely. In another embodiment, the device 110 may alter the templateby prompting the user to manually select a different template, and mayoptionally provide a limited list of templates that may be consideredsuitable based on pre-existing rules. In one embodiment, the device 110can conduct the method 700 for multiple different movement templatessimultaneously, including multiple templates based on input from asingle sensor system 12 and/or from multiple sensor systems 12. It isunderstood that the method 700 may be used in connection with apre-plotted route. For example, the method 700 may be used for amarathon route, and can assist the user by identifying necessary changesin biomechanical movement based on changing terrain, as well asnotifying the user of upcoming terrain changes and associated movementchanges. The device 110 may also be configured to dynamically update theroute if the data from the GPS module 209 indicates that the user is notfollowing the route.

In one embodiment, the device 110 may include software to coach a userwhen transitioning to a new footwear type. For example, this system maybe used when transitioning from traditional footwear to minimal footwearfor the avoidance of injuries. In particular, minimal footwearstructures are configured to cooperatively articulate, flex, stretch, orotherwise move to provide an individual with a sensation of natural,barefoot running. The sole structure of minimal footwear is generallythinner throughout its length with less cushioning than traditionalfootwear and little or no heel-to-toe drop (the change in elevation offootwear from at least a portion of the heel to at least a portion of anon-heel region, e.g., any portion of the foot that is distal to theheel, such as the arch, metatarsus, forefoot, toe region, andcombinations thereof). For example, traditional running footwear has aheel-toe ramp resulting from a vertical heel-to-toe drop of 12 mm ormore. Minimal footwear, on the other hand, has a substantially zeroheel-to-toe drop. Partial minimal footwear, a configuration between atraditional and a minimal structure, has a 4-12 mm heel-to-toe drop. Theconfiguration of most minimal footwear structures results in a differentdistribution of stress throughout the feet and the body, e.g., whenrunning. For example, experienced minimal footwear runners tend tostrike the ground in the midfoot or forefoot regions and havesubstantially no vertical impact transient on ground impact. Traditionalfootwear wearers, on the other hand, tend to have a more posteriorstrike pattern (a heel-first footstrike), a higher vertical impacttransient, as well as greater dorsiflexion of the foot and less kneeflexion at foot strike.

Wearers transitioning to minimal footwear running shoes often do notsufficiently alter their biomechanics to properly adapt to the minimalfootwear conditions and are consequentially more likely to sufferinjuries when switching to the minimal footwear type. Thus, atransitional coaching program may be desired to acclimate a wearer to adifferent footwear type (e.g., minimal, partial minimal) in order toproperly transition to the biomechanics associated with the new footwearwhile minimizing chances of injuries. For example, a program fortransitioning a user from traditional footwear to minimal footwear mayinclude coaching towards a plantar-flexed ankle at footstrike, shorterground contact, reduced knee flexion, and/or reduced heel pressure atfootstrike. Accordingly, systems and methods of the present disclosuremay be used for a footwear transitional program to transition a userfrom a first footwear type to a second footwear type (e.g., fromtraditional footwear to minimal footwear, from partial minimal footwearto minimal footwear, and the like).

In certain embodiments, the plurality of sensors 16 are located indifferent locations on the article of footwear. A footstrike pattern ofa user can be detected based on a sequence of the forces sensed by thesensors and/or a level of the forces sensed by the sensors 16transmitting force data to an electronic device 110 through sensor leads18 or through wireless transmission. The electronic device 110 comparesthe data to a desired footstrike pattern corresponding to the footweartype. The sensors may also be configured to measure a pressuredistribution under the wearer's foot so as be able to obtain pressuredistribution data and compare such data to a foot pressure templatecorresponding to the footwear type. Specific areas of the foot, e.g.,the midfoot, may receive increased stress during an athletic activitysuch as running due to a different movement of the foot with minimalfootwear. Accordingly, these specific areas can be targeted more closelythan others via placement of the sensors. Leg biomechanics also changewhen transitioning types of footwear. Thus, a leg sensor system, such aslegwear 91 of FIGS. 18-19 may also be provided in order to sense forceexerted on a leg of a user. The sensed force on the leg can then becompared to a desired biomechanical leg movement pattern to determinewhether a deviation from the biomechanical movement template exists.

In one embodiment, the footwear transitional program includes one ormore desired footstrike templates which correspond to the footwear typeto which the user is transitioning. In use, the electronic devicecompares data received from the sensor system to a footstrike templatecorresponding to a desired footstrike pattern. The electronic devicedetermines whether a deviation from the desired footstrike templateexists in order to train a wearer towards a preferred footstrikecorresponding to the particular footwear type. For example, a deviationmay be determined to exist if the degree of deviation exceeds apredetermined threshold.

During a particular activity, a user may periodically receiveindications and/or alerts, e.g., by the electronic device transmitting asignal to a second electronic device, such as an external device held bythe user during the activity. The indications notify a user whendeviations are determined and the alerts notify a user if a number ofdeviations exceeds a predetermined deviation threshold. The indicationsand alerts may be visual, audible, and/or tactile depending on theelectronic device capabilities and/or a user selection. For example, insome embodiments, the indications and alerts may provide specificcoaching guidelines to a user during an athletic activity, such as“Strike the ground closer to the forefoot” or “Maintain shorter groundcontact.” In some other embodiments, the indications and alerts may beless specific, and may include, for example, a number of beeps and/orvisual flashes or differing intensity or repetition depending on thetype or severity of the indication/alert. Alternatively, or in additionto receiving indications throughout an activity, the total count ofdeviations may be provided at the end of the activity. A user may alsoopt to have the system record data throughout the course of a particularathletic activity, e.g., during a run.

In addition to analyzing and comparing footstrike data to desiredpatterns, the system can recommend a relative usage amount for asubsequent footwear wearing period. Upon completion of the athleticactivity session, the system may provide feedback to the user based ondata recorded during the activity and a desired footstrike pattern ofthe footwear. For example, the feedback may include an activity reportfor a subsequent athletic activity session, e.g., a suggested distanceand speed for a next run. For instance, if a high amount or number ofdeviations were recorded during the athletic activity session, thesubsequent activity report may recommend an activity of lesser distanceand/or lower speed than the prior activity. Conversely, if few or nodeviations were recorded during an athletic activity session, thesubsequent activity report may be of greater distance and/or higherspeed than the prior activity. The feedback may also include astretching activity following the athletic activity session based onsensed deviations from the desired footstrike pattern of the footwear.The suggested stretching exercises may include calf stretching andstrengthening in addition to stretching and strengthening the foot. Thesystem may also prompt a user for input relating to a perceiveddiscomfort during an athletic activity which may include a level ofdiscomfort and/or specifying a general area of discomfort (the arch, theheel, the calf, and the like). Accordingly, the perceived discomfortinput may affect the feedback reported to the user. Over the duration ofthe footwear transitional program, the device is configured to record aplurality of athletic activities for a particular user. The transitionalprogram may be a preset duration, e.g., a number of athletic activities,or a total time and/or distance of recorded data as provided bypositional data from the GPS module. In some embodiments, the durationof the transitional footwear program may change throughout the program,e.g., based on a number or frequency of recorded deviations until, forinstance, a deviation count threshold is reached.

The footwear transitional program may include a single desiredfootstrike pattern or a plurality of footstrike patterns which changethroughout the footwear transitional program. For example, for a minimalfootwear transition program, an initial desired footstrike pattern mayallow for some amount of a heel-first footstrike without determining adeviation, at a beginning of the program. Similarly, a final desiredfootstrike pattern may be a midfoot or forefoot footstrike and thedevice will determine a deviation to exist if any portion of the heel issensed to strike the ground during initial impact of the foot.Generally, the final desired footstrike pattern will substantiallycorrespond to a most preferred footstrike pattern for the footwear type.The footstrike patterns may vary during the footwear transitionalprogram based on a designated amount of usage, e.g., a total record timeand/or distance or a number of athletic activities. This iterativearrangement may aid in slowly transitioning the user from the firstfootwear type to the second footwear type while minimizing injuries dueto the transition.

The footwear transitional program may also be customizable by a usertype. For example, a user may select a customizable footwear transitionprogram based on at least one of age, weight, gender, excursiondistance, and speed. Accordingly, various aspects of the transitionalfootwear program may change based on customization. Depending on thevarious customization factors, the transitional program may have aduration of a few weeks to several months to adjust and coach a user toa new footwear type in order to prevent or minimize any suchtransition-related injuries. In another example, the number ofiterations of footstrike patterns in the footwear transitional programmay be also vary based on the particular user. In some embodiments, auser may select a footwear transition program from a plurality offootwear transition program templates, e.g., corresponding to aparticular footwear type and/or a type of user. Accordingly, eachfootwear transitional program may have a plurality of footstriketemplates, potentially of a differing total number of templates and/ordiffering in the desired footstrike patterns included in each program.Additionally or alternatively, the footwear transition program may beautomatically selected by the system based on data collected fromprevious athletic activity sessions (e.g., historical running data,walking data, and the like). Accordingly, the system may use historicaldata stored for the user, in conjunction with an identified new type offootwear, to determine a footwear transition program for the user.

In some embodiments, the system may establish an end to the transitionprogram once foot strike patterns exhibit a proper transition to thefootwear type. For example, as a user acclimates to a minimal footwear,the user should eventually develop a footstrike pattern wherein themid-foot region strikes first rather than the heel. Once this footstrikepattern is detected (e.g., via sensor data, number of deviations, etc.)the system may determine that the user has successfully transitioned tothe new footwear type and the program may end. In some examples, the endof the transition program may be transmitted to the user (e.g., via anaudio or visual congratulatory message, or the like).

The transitional footwear program need not be limited to running. Forexample, minimal shoes have been found to be beneficial to elderlypersons, and therefore the above transition program can be incorporatedeffectively at a slower pace than running.

As described above, in one embodiment, one or more templates may becreated by the user by recording an actual movement pattern of the user.In one embodiment, a user may identify an “ideal” movement pattern orseries of movement patterns and create one or more templates for futureactivity, as well as incorporating other information from the recordedmovement pattern for such future activity. For example, a user mayperform what is considered to be an “ideal” run, including at least oneideal biometric movement pattern, such as an ideal footstrike pattern,stride length, footstrike force, etc., and may set such ideal biometricmovement pattern(s) as one or more templates (e.g. by using the device110). Other information about the ideal run may be recorded as well,such as the distance, speed, route, estimated calories burned, etc., andthis information may be used to create an “ideal run” template for theuser to follow to re-create the run. Similar techniques may be used forother activities.

In another embodiment, the device 110 and associate software may providethe ability for a user to review performance metrics from a previousactivity and identify areas of success and/or areas that needimprovement. This feature may be incorporated into the creation of the“ideal” activity described above, and may provide the ability for theuser to modify certain aspects of the template(s) for the “ideal”activity. Additionally, the recordation of past performance metrics canenable the user to track performance, improvement, trends, progress,etc., over time, and the device 110 may provide such past data foraccess and review. Types of information tracked by the device 110 mayinclude degree of success with compliance to various templates as wellas additional information including, without limitation, speed,distance, steps or repetitions, energy used, jump height/distance,stride length, and any other information mentioned elsewhere herein.Recorded data from an activity may be uploaded from the recording device110 to another device 110, such as through “sync” procedures used in theart. One or more devices 110 can thereby record accumulated performancemetric data for a number of different activities over time, and furtherprocessing and refining can be performed to present such data in a formthat is easy for the user to review. In one embodiment, recorded dataand/or analyzed data may be uploaded to a remote server/website foraccess through a webpage, and may additionally be shared with an online“community,” where users can compare progress and activity with otherusers. The online community may have filtering capabilities as well, forexample, to permit the user to compare information with others havingsimilar physical build, activity level, age, etc. The online communitymay also have “challenge” capabilities to allow one user to challengeanother user in achieving an accomplishment, such as more consistentlyconforming to a biomechanical movement template. Data and otherinformation obtained from the user may also be used in a socialnetworking context as described below, and it is understood that thesocial networking may be integrated with or otherwise associated withthe online community. Further, devices 110 used in connection with suchperformance metrics can form a detailed user profile that includesperformance data, as well as relevant personal and other information, inone embodiment. Such a user profile may also be used for an onlinecommunity as described above and/or for social networking, as describedbelow. As more data is collected, the device(s) 110 can offer moreclosely customized data presentations, analysis, and suggestions orindications for improvement.

In one embodiment, the device 110 and associated software may provideone or more data entry screens for the user to enter personal data thatcan be used to build the user profile. For example, the user may beprompted to enter physical data that may influence system performanceand template selection, such as age, gender, height, weight, etc. Asanother example, the user may be prompted to enter identifyinginformation, such as name, birthdate, login information (e.g. usernameand password), etc. As a further example, the user may be prompted toenter preference information, such as interests, terrain and/orenvironmental preferences as described above, color and layoutpreferences, and general software functionality preferences, includingfeedback preferences such as the form(s) of the indications ofsuccess/failure, what data is collected, analyzed, and/or displayed, andother functionality preferences. As yet another example, the user may beprompted to enter data regarding a planned future activity that willutilize the device 110 and system 400, such as the length and intensityof the activity, specific goals of the activity, desired functionalityof the device 110 for the activity, and other such information.

The device 110 and associated software may also be configured to acceptincorporation of new hardware and peripherals (e.g. new sensor systems12, augmented reality devices, etc.), and the device 110 may beconfigured to accept data input from, and communicate with, variousdifferent types of hardware. As new hardware is added (e.g. new sensorsystems 12), the user profile may be updated accordingly.

In another embodiment, the device 110 and associated software mayprovide guidance to the user to assist in compliance to a biomechanicalmovement template. For example, for a template for running cadence orpace, the device 110 may provide a song or beat with a rhythm or tempothat corresponds to the desired cadence or pace. Other examples arerecognizable to those skilled in the art.

In another embodiment, the device 110 and associated software mayprovide safety features that are activated when the device 110 senses anaccident (e.g. a fall) based on data received from the sensor system 12.For example, the device 110 may detect a fall or other majordiscontinuity in data, and may prompt the user to confirm whether asafety or health issue exists. If the user indicates that an issueexists, or if no response is received in a set time period, the device110 may contact emergency responders, such as by phone call, SMS, email,or other means. Depending on the capability of various sensors, thedevice 110 may also be able to relay information such as respiration,heart rate, temperature, etc.

In another embodiment, the device 110 and associated software may beused in connection with social networking applications. For example,performance metric data may be compared with data from other socialnetworking contacts. As another example, collected performance metricdata may be translated into “points” or “credits” for social networkinggames, where the user is able to modify or further play such games usingsuch points or credits. This can provide an additional source ofencouragement to the user for reaching performance and exercise goals.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading thepresent disclosure, various aspects described herein may be embodied asa method, a data processing system, or a computer program product.Accordingly, those aspects may take the form of an entirely hardwareembodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combiningsoftware and hardware aspects. Furthermore, such aspects may take theform of a computer program product stored by one or more tangiblecomputer-readable storage media or storage devices havingcomputer-readable program code, or instructions, embodied in or on thestorage media. Any suitable tangible computer readable storage media maybe utilized, including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices,magnetic storage devices, and/or any combination thereof. In addition,various intangible signals representing data or events as describedherein may be transferred between a source and a destination in the formof electromagnetic waves traveling through signal-conducting media suchas metal wires, optical fibers, and/or wireless transmission media(e.g., air and/or space).

As described above, aspects of the present invention may be described inthe general context of computer-executable instructions, such as programmodules, being executed by a computer and/or a processor thereof.Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. Such a program module may becontained in a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, asdescribed above. Aspects of the present invention may also be practicedin distributed computing environments where tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. Program modules may be located in a memory, such as the memory204 of the module 22 or memory 304 of the external device 110, or anexternal medium, such as game media 307, which may include both localand remote computer storage media including memory storage devices. Itis understood that the module 22, the external device 110, and/orexternal media may include complementary program modules for usetogether, such as in a particular application. It is also understoodthat a single processor 202, 302 and single memory 204, 304 are shownand described in the module 22 and the external device 110 for sake ofsimplicity, and that the processor 202, 302 and memory 204, 304 mayinclude a plurality of processors and/or memories respectively, and maycomprise a system of processors and/or memories.

The various embodiments of the athletic activity analysis systemdescribed herein provide benefits and advantages over existingtechnology. For example, sensor systems, devices, and methods asdescribed herein can provide detailed automated coaching to guide a usertoward changing biometric movement patterns in a safe, healthy, andefficient manner. Embodiments described herein can also provide enhancedability for the user to monitor his/her performance, both dynamically inreal-time, as well as retrospectively. Embodiments described herein canalso provide guidance and assistance for a user to improve performanceduring an activity. Embodiments described herein can further provideassistance to runners, bikers, triathletes, etc., in designing travelroutes for workouts, as well as negotiating unfamiliar travel routes.Other advantages are recognizable to those skilled in the art.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described andillustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possiblecombinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinaryskill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodimentscould be provided in any combination with the other embodimentsdisclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit or centralcharacteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein. The terms “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., as usedherein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit theembodiments in any way. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as usedherein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively orconjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Further,“Providing” an article or apparatus, as used herein, refers broadly tomaking the article available or accessible for future actions to beperformed on the article, and does not connote that the party providingthe article has manufactured, produced, or supplied the article or thatthe party providing the article has ownership or control of the article.Accordingly, while specific embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed, numerous modifications come to mind without significantlydeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protectionis only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of transitioning from a first footweartype to a second footwear type, comprising: receiving, at a processor ofan electronic device, data from a sensor system located on an article offootwear of the second footwear type and configured to sensebiomechanical movement of a foot of a user during an athletic activity;analyzing, by the processor, data specific to a desired footstrikepattern, wherein the desired footstrike pattern is associated with thesecond footwear type and differs from a desired footstrike patternassociated with the first footwear type; and generating, by theprocessor, a footwear analysis indication on a display of the electronicdevice wherein the footwear analysis indication is based on analysis ofdata specific to the second footwear type.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising providing feedback to the user based on data recordedduring the athletic activity.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinproviding feedback to the user includes providing a suggested activityreport for a subsequent athletic activity.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: recording a plurality of athletic activitiesperformed by the user; and modifying a transitional program fortransitioning from the first footwear type to the second footwear typebased on the recorded plurality of athletic activities performed by theuser.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the data includesdetermining whether a deviation from the desired footstrike pattern isassociated with the second footwear type exists.
 6. The method of claim5, wherein the deviation is determined to exist if a degree of deviationis determined to exceed a predetermined threshold.
 7. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising generating an alert to the user when thedeviation is determined to exist.
 8. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium storing computer-readable instructions that, whenexecuted, cause a processor to perform a method comprising: receivingdata from a sensor system located on an article of footwear andconfigured to sense biomechanical movement of a foot of a user;analyzing the data to detect a footstrike pattern; comparing thefootstrike pattern to a desired footstrike pattern corresponding to afirst footwear type, wherein the desired footstrike patterncorresponding to the first footwear type is specific to the firstfootwear type and differs from a desired footstrike patterncorresponding to a second footwear type; and generating a footwearanalysis on a display of an electronic device associated with the user,wherein the footwear analysis is based on analysis of the data specificto the first footwear type as part of a transitional program from thesecond footwear type to the first footwear type.
 9. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 8, further comprisingcomputer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor toperform: recording a plurality of data points of the user during anathletic activity; and providing feedback to the user based on datarecorded during the athletic activity.
 10. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 8, further comprisingcomputer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor toperform: modifying at least one aspect of the transitional program basedon analysis of the data specific to the first footwear type.
 11. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, whereincomparing the footstrike pattern to the desired footstrike patterncorresponding to a first footwear type includes determining whether adeviation from the desired footstrike pattern exists.
 12. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein thefootwear analysis includes an indication of a degree of deviation fromthe desired footstrike pattern corresponding to the first footwear type.13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11,further comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed,cause a processor to perform generating an alert to the user when adeviation from the desired footstrike pattern is determined to exist.14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8,further comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed,cause a processor to perform providing a summary of recorded data to theuser.
 15. A method of transitioning from a first footwear type to asecond footwear type, comprising: receiving, at a processor of anelectronic device, data from a sensor system located on an article offootwear and configured to sense biomechanical movement of a foot of auser during an athletic activity; detecting a footstrike pattern basedon analysis of the data; comparing the footstrike pattern to a desiredfootstrike pattern of a footwear transitional program, wherein thedesired footstrike pattern is specific to the second footwear type anddiffers from a desired footstrike pattern corresponding to the firstfootwear type; and generating, by the processor, a footwear analysisindication to the user on a display of the electronic device wherein thefootwear analysis indication is based on analysis of data specific tothe second footwear type.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thefootwear analysis indication includes at least one of a deviation fromthe desired footstrike pattern, a suggested stretching activity, and asuggested activity report for a subsequent athletic activity.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising: receiving, at the processor, aselection of the footwear transitional program prior to the userbeginning the athletic activity, the footwear transitional programincluding one or more desired footstrike patterns.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the sensor system includes a plurality of sensorslocated in different locations on the article of footwear, and whereinthe footstrike pattern is detected based on at least one of a sequenceof forces sensed by the plurality of sensors and a level of forcessensed by the plurality of sensors.
 19. The method of claim 15, whereinthe sensor system includes a plurality of sensors configured to measurea pressure distribution under the foot and the electronic device isfurther configured to compare pressure distribution data to a footpressure template.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein generating thefootwear analysis indication includes transmitting a signal to a secondelectronic device, and wherein the signal is configured to cause thesecond electronic device to generate the footwear analysis indication.